Methods of fabricating three-dimensional semiconductor devices

ABSTRACT

Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application based on pending application Ser. No.13/401,013, filed Feb. 21, 2012, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Korean Patent Applications Nos. 10-2011-0028320 and 10-2011-0029808,filed on Mar. 29, 2011, and Mar. 31, 2011, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, and entitled: “Three Dimensional Semiconductor MemoryDevices and Methods of Fabricating the Same,” are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure herein relates to semiconductor devices and, moreparticularly, to three dimensional semiconductor memory devices andmethods of fabricating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Semiconductor devices are very attractive in an electronic industrybecause of small size, multi-function and/or low fabrication costthereof. High performance semiconductor devices and/or low costsemiconductor devices have been increasingly demanded with thedevelopment of the electronic industry. The semiconductor devices havebeen more highly integrated in order to meet the above demands. Inparticular, there is a high demand to increase the integration densityof semiconductor memory devices to store logic data.

In two dimensional semiconductor memory devices, a planar area that aunit memory cell occupies may directly affect the integration density ofthe two dimensional semiconductor memory devices. That is, theintegration density of the two dimensional semiconductor memory devicesmay be influenced by a minimum feature size which relates to a processtechnology for forming fine patterns. However, there may be limitationsin improving the process technology for forming the fine patterns. Inaddition, high cost equipments or apparatus may be required to form thefine patterns. Thus, cost for fabricating the highly integratedsemiconductor memory devices may be increased.

Recently, three dimensional semiconductor memory devices have beenproposed to solve the above limitations. The three dimensionalsemiconductor memory devices include a plurality of memory cells arrayedin three dimensions. However, in fabrication of three dimensionalsemiconductor memory devices, various problems may occur due tostructural configurations thereof. As a result, reliability and/orelectrical characteristics of the three dimensional semiconductor memorydevices may be degraded.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concept are directed to three dimensionalsemiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same.

Embodiments are directed to a device including an electrode structureincluding an alternating stack of electrodes and insulating patterns ona semiconductor substrate, a vertical active pattern extending throughthe alternating stack, at least one specific electrode of the electrodestructure having first and second outer sidewalls opposite respectiveinner sidewalls that face the vertical active pattern, and a recessedregion penetrating at least the specific electrode and filled with aninsulating material, and a material that extends to cover a bottomsurface, a top surface, and the first outer sidewall of the specificelectrode, the first outer sidewall being adjacent the recessed region.

The material may not cover the second outer sidewall.

The device may include a pair of isolation patterns on the semiconductorsubstrate, the isolation patterns being located at two sides of theelectrode structure, wherein the second outer sidewall of the specificelectrode is in contact with any one of the pair of isolation patterns.

The electrode structure may include another electrode which is differentfrom the specific electrode, wherein the another electrode has two outersidewalls contacting the pair of isolation patterns, respectively.

The material covering the first outer sidewall may extend in a verticaldirection beyond the first outer sidewall adjacent at least one of anupper insulation layer and a next upper insulation layer.

The device may include an electrode-dielectric material between asidewall of the vertical active pattern and the electrodes.

The material may be an extension of the electrode-dielectric material.

The electrode-dielectric material may extend continuously along thesidewall of the vertical active pattern.

All sidewalls of the vertical active pattern may have a sameelectrode-dielectric layer.

The material may extend around the bottom surface, the top surface, andthe first outer sidewall of the specific electrode forms a continuouslayer.

The specific electrode may have a portion extending vertically andadjacent at least one of an upper insulation layer and a next upperinsulation layer.

The specific electrode may have a portion extending laterally into therecessed region.

Each of the electrodes may have a metal pattern and a barrier conductivepattern, and the material may be an extension of the barrier conductivepattern.

The specific electrode may correspond to an uppermost electrode of theelectrode structure.

A next uppermost electrode disposed directly under the uppermostelectrode may have first and second outer sidewalls facing each other,wherein the first and second outer sidewalls of the next uppermostelectrode are vertically aligned with the first and second outersidewalls of the uppermost electrode, respectively, wherein the materialincludes an electrode-dielectric layer, and wherein at least a portionof the electrode-dielectric layer between the next uppermost electrodeand the sidewall of the vertical active pattern extends to cover abottom surface, a top surface, and the first outer sidewall of the nextuppermost electrode.

The electrode-dielectric layer covering the first outer sidewall of theuppermost electrode may extend downwardly along an outer sidewall of theinsulating pattern between the uppermost electrode and the nextuppermost electrode, thereby being connected to the extension of theelectrode-dielectric layer covering the first outer sidewall of the nextuppermost electrode.

The uppermost electrode and the next uppermost electrode may beseparated from each other.

The device may include a non sacrificial pattern disposed adjacent tothe outer sidewall of the insulating pattern between the uppermostelectrode and the next uppermost electrode, and adjacent to the firstouter sidewalls of the uppermost electrode and the next uppermostelectrode, wherein a horizontal distance between the outer sidewall ofthe insulating pattern and the non sacrificial pattern is equal to orless than twice a thickness of the extension of the electrode-dielectriclayer on the top surface of the uppermost electrode, and wherein theouter sidewall of the insulating pattern is located between theuppermost electrode and the next uppermost electrode.

The uppermost electrode extends downwardly along an outer sidewall ofthe insulating pattern between the uppermost electrode and the nextuppermost electrode, thereby being connected to the next uppermostelectrode.

The device may include a non sacrificial pattern disposed adjacent tothe outer sidewall of the insulating pattern between the uppermostelectrode and the next uppermost electrode, and adjacent to the firstouter sidewalls of the uppermost electrode and the next uppermostelectrode, wherein a horizontal distance between the outer sidewall ofthe insulating pattern and the non sacrificial pattern is greater thantwice a thickness of the extension of the electrode-dielectric layer onthe top surface of the uppermost electrode, and wherein the outersidewall of the insulating pattern is located between the uppermostelectrode and the next uppermost electrode.

The extension of the electrode-dielectric layer covering the first outersidewall of the uppermost electrode may be separated from the extensionof the electrode-dielectric layer covering the first outer sidewall ofthe next uppermost electrode, and wherein the uppermost electrode andthe next uppermost electrode are separated from each other.

The device may include a non sacrificial pattern disposed adjacent to anouter sidewall of the insulating pattern between the uppermost electrodeand the next uppermost electrode, and adjacent to the first outersidewalls of the uppermost electrode and the next uppermost electrode,wherein the non sacrificial pattern is in contact with the outersidewall of the insulating pattern between the uppermost electrode andthe next uppermost electrode.

The electrode structure may include a single lowermost electrode,wherein the uppermost electrode is in a plural number over the singlelowermost electrode, wherein the plurality of the uppermost electrodesare horizontally separated from each other and located at a same levelfrom a top surface of the substrate, wherein the vertical active patternis in a plural number, and wherein each of the vertical active patternspenetrates the respective uppermost electrodes and the electrodes underthe respective uppermost electrodes.

The insulating patterns may include an uppermost insulating pattern,wherein the device further comprises a residual sacrificial spacer on anouter sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern on the uppermostelectrode, and wherein the residual sacrificial spacer includes adielectric material having an etch selectivity with respect to theinsulating patterns.

The insulating patterns may include an uppermost insulating pattern andthe first outer sidewall of the uppermost electrode may laterallyprotrude more than an outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating patternon the uppermost electrode.

The material may be an electrode-dielectric layer that includes a wallportion covering the first outer sidewall of the uppermost electrode,wherein the insulating patterns include an uppermost insulating pattern,and wherein the wall portion has a sidewall which is vertically alignedwith an outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern on theuppermost electrode.

The outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern may besubstantially and vertically coplanar with the sidewall of the wallportion.

The material may be an electrode-dielectric layer that includes atunneling dielectric layer, a charge storing layer and a blockingdielectric layer, and wherein the extension of the electrode-dielectriclayer covering the first outer sidewall of the specific electrodeinclude a portion of at least the blocking dielectric layer.

The specific electrode may be an uppermost electrode and the recessedregion penetrates the next uppermost electrode.

The recessed region may extend in parallel with the vertical activepattern.

Embodiments are directed to a three dimensional semiconductor memorydevice, including an electrode structure including electrodes andinsulating patterns which are alternately and repeatedly stacked on asubstrate, each of the electrodes having a metal pattern and a barrierconductive pattern, a vertical active pattern penetrating the electrodestructure, and an electrode-dielectric layer between a sidewall of thevertical active pattern and the respective electrodes, wherein the metalpattern in a specific electrode of the electrodes has first and secondouter sidewalls facing each other, and wherein the barrier conductivepattern in the specific electrode is in contact with the first outersidewall of the metal pattern in the specific electrode.

The electrode-dielectric layer may extend vertically between thesidewall of the vertical active pattern and the insulating patterns.

The second outer sidewall of the metal pattern in the specific electrodemay not contact the barrier conductive pattern in the specificelectrode.

The specific electrode may correspond to an uppermost electrode in theelectrode structure.

The metal pattern in a next uppermost electrode disposed directly underthe uppermost electrode may have first and second outer sidewalls facingeach other, wherein the barrier conductive pattern in the next uppermostelectrode is in contact with the first outer sidewall of the metalpattern in the next uppermost electrode.

The metal pattern in the uppermost electrode may extend along an outersidewall of the insulating pattern between the uppermost electrode andthe next uppermost electrode, thereby being connected to the metalpattern in the next uppermost electrode.

The insulating patterns may include an uppermost insulating pattern,wherein a portion of the barrier conductive pattern in the uppermostelectrode has a sidewall which is aligned with an outer sidewall of theuppermost insulating pattern on the uppermost electrode.

The outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern may besubstantially coplanar with a sidewall of the portion of the barrierconductive pattern in the uppermost electrode.

Embodiments are directed to a method of fabricating a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device, the method including alternately andrepeatedly stacking replacement layers and insulating layers on asubstrate, forming a vertical active pattern penetrating the insulatinglayers and the replacement layers, forming a cutting region penetratingat least an uppermost replacement layer of the replacement layers,forming a non sacrificial layer in the cutting region, and replacing thereplacement layers with electrodes, respectively, after forming the nonsacrificial layer in the cutting region.

Forming the cutting region may be after forming the vertical activepattern.

Before forming the electrodes, an electrode-dielectric layer may beformed between a sidewall of the vertical active pattern and theelectrodes.

Forming the electrode-dielectric layer may include conformally formingthe electrode dielectric layer in the replacement layers and a sidewallof the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed by anuppermost replacement layer.

Before forming the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region, a spacermay be formed on sidewalls of the cutting region.

Before forming the electrodes, a portion of the spacer extending fromabove the uppermost replacement layer to a bottom of the cutting regionmay be removed.

The method may include conformally forming an electrode-dielectric layerin the replacement layers and along a sidewall of the non sacrificiallayer in the cutting region exposed due to removal of the spacer.

Forming the electrodes may include conformally forming a barrierconductive pattern in the replacement layers and along a sidewall of thenon sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed due to removal ofthe spacer.

Before forming the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region, thespacer may be etched so that an upper surface of the space is below anupper surface of the cutting region, the spacer remaining above theuppermost replacement layer.

After forming the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region and beforeforming the electrodes, the spacer may be removed.

The method may include conformally forming an electrode-dielectric layerin the replacement layers and along a sidewall of the non sacrificiallayer in the cutting region exposed due to removal of the spacer.

Forming the electrodes may include conformally forming a barrierconductive pattern in the replacement layers and along a sidewall of thenon sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed due to removal ofthe spacer.

The cutting region may penetrate below an uppermost replacement layer.

The cutting region may penetrate a next uppermost replacement layer.

Forming the cutting region may include forming a guide opening in anuppermost insulating layer, the guide opening extending to an uppersurface of the uppermost replacement layer, forming a spacer in theguide opening, and etching the guide opening with the spacer therein toform the cutting region and to remove the spacer such that an uppersurface of the spacer is below an upper surface of the uppermostinsulating layer.

The method may include, after forming the non sacrificial layer in thecutting region and before forming the electrodes, removing the spacer.

The method may include conformally forming an electrode-dielectric layerin the replacement layers and along a sidewall of the non sacrificiallayer in the cutting region exposed due to removal of the spacer.

Forming the electrodes may include conformally forming a barrierconductive pattern in the replacement layers and along a sidewall of thenon sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed due to removal ofthe spacer.

Forming the alternately stacking replacement layers and insulatinglayers may include alternately and repeatedly stacking sacrificiallayers and insulating layers on the substrate, and, before formingelectrodes, removing the sacrificial layers to form empty regions.

Removing the sacrificial layers may include removing a portion of thenon sacrificial layer adjacent an uppermost sacrificial layer.

Forming the vertical active pattern may include forming a holepenetrating the insulating layers and the replacement layers and formingthe vertical active pattern in the hole.

The method may include, before forming the vertical active pattern,forming an electrode-dielectric layer on an inner sidewall of the hole.

Forming the electrodes may include conformally forming a barrierconductive pattern in the replacement layers.

The method may include forming another vertical active patternpenetrating the insulating layers and the replacement layers, theanother vertical active pattern being in an opposite side of the cuttingregion to the vertical active pattern.

The cutting region may be centered between the vertical active patternand the another vertical active pattern.

The cutting region may be closer to one of the vertical active patternand the another vertical active pattern than to another of the verticalactive pattern and the another vertical active pattern.

The cutting region extends in parallel to the vertical active pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line II-IF ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1E illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘B’ of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1F illustrates a cross sectional view of a modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a firstembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2A illustrates a plan view of another modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a firstembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 1A to illustrate still another modified embodiment of a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a first embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 3B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘C’ of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of yet another modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a firstembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 5A to 10A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a first embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIGS. 5B to 10B illustrate cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′of FIGS. 5A to 10A, respectively;

FIGS. 5C to 10C illustrate cross sectional views taken along linesII-II′ of FIGS. 5A to 10A, respectively;

FIGS. 11A and 12A illustrate plan views of a modified embodiment of amethod of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 11B and 12B illustrate cross sectional views taken along linesI-I′ of FIGS. 11A to 12A, respectively;

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate cross sectional views of another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 16A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 16B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 16A;

FIG. 16C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘D’ of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 16A to illustrate a modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 18A illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 16A to illustrate another modified embodiment of a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a second embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 18B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘E’ of FIG. 18A;

FIGS. 19A to 24A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a secondembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 19B to 24B illustrate cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′of FIGS. 19A to 24A, respectively;

FIG. 25 illustrates a cross sectional view of a modified embodiment of amethod of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross sectional view of another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 27A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 27B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 27A;

FIG. 27C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘F’ of FIG. 27B;

FIG. 28A illustrates a plan view of a modified embodiment of a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a third embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 28B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 28A;

FIG. 29 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 27A to illustrate another modified embodiment of a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a third embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 30A illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 27A of still another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 30B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘G’ of FIG. 30A;

FIGS. 31A to 35A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a thirdembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 31B to 35B illustrate cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′of FIGS. 31A to 35A, respectively;

FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate plan views of a modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a thirdembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 38 illustrates a cross sectional view of another modifiedembodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory device accordingto a third embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 39A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 39B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 39A;

FIG. 39C illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line II-IF ofFIG. 39A;

FIG. 39D illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘K1’ of FIG. 39B;

FIG. 39E illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘K2’ of FIG. 39B;

FIG. 40A illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 39A of a modified embodiment of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 40B illustrates an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘K3’ ofFIG. 40A;

FIG. 41A illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 39A of another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 41B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘K4’ of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 42 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 39A of still another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 43A illustrates a plan view of yet another modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a fourthembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 43B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 43A;

FIG. 44 illustrates a cross sectional view of still yet another modifiedembodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 45A illustrates a cross sectional view of a further modifiedembodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 45B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion ‘K5’ of FIG. 45A;

FIGS. 46A to 50A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a fourthembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 46B to 50B illustrate cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′of FIGS. 46A to 50A, respectively;

FIG. 51 illustrates a cross sectional view of a modified embodiment of amethod of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 52A and 53A illustrate plan views of another modified embodimentof a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memorydevice according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 52B and 53B illustrate cross sectional views taken along linesI-I′ of FIGS. 52A to 53A, respectively;

FIG. 54 illustrates a cross sectional view of still another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 55 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example ofelectronic systems including three dimensional semiconductor memorydevices according to embodiments of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 56 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example of memorycards including three dimensional semiconductor memory devices accordingto embodiments of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the inventive concept are shown. The advantages and features of theinventive concept and methods of achieving them will be apparent fromthe following exemplary embodiments that will be described in moredetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted,however, that the inventive concept is not limited to the followingexemplary embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms.Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are provided only to disclose theinventive concept and let those skilled in the art know the category ofthe inventive concept. In the drawings, embodiments of the inventiveconcept are not limited to the specific examples provided herein and areexaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As usedherein, the singular terms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will beunderstood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or“coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled tothe other element or intervening elements may be present.

Similarly, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer,region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it canbe directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present.In contrast, the term “directly” means that there are no interveningelements. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”,“comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Additionally, the embodiment in the detailed description will bedescribed with sectional views as ideal exemplary views of the inventiveconcept. Accordingly, shapes of the exemplary views may be modifiedaccording to manufacturing techniques and/or allowable errors.Therefore, the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited tothe specific shape illustrated in the exemplary views, but may includeother shapes that may be created according to manufacturing processes.Areas exemplified in the drawings have general properties, and are usedto illustrate specific shapes of elements. Thus, this should not beconstrued as limited to the scope of the inventive concept.

It will be also understood that although the terms first, second, thirdetc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element insome embodiments could be termed a second element in other embodimentswithout departing from the teachings herein. Exemplary embodiments ofaspects of the present inventive concept explained and illustratedherein include their complementary counterparts. The same referencenumerals or the same reference designators denote the same elementsthroughout the specification.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 1B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 1A. FIG. 1C illustrates a cross sectional view taken along a lineII-II′ of FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a plurality of electrode structuresmay be disposed on a substrate 100. Each of the electrode structures mayinclude a plurality of electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE1, SSE2 and aplurality of insulating patterns 105A, 105 nUa, 105Ua which arealternately and repeatedly stacked, e.g., along a z-axis direction. Theelectrode structures may extend in a first direction, e.g., a y-axisdirection, and may be parallel with each other. The electrode structuresmay be arrayed to be spaced apart from each other in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction, e.g., an x-axis direction of FIG.1A.

The substrate 100 may include a semiconductor substrate. For example,the substrate 100 may be a silicon substrate, a germanium substrate or asilicon germanium substrate. The substrate 100 may include a well regiondoped with dopants of a first conductivity type.

A pair of isolation patterns 175 may be disposed at both sides of therespective electrode structures, respectively. Further, the isolationpatterns 175 may contact the substrate 100. That is, each of theisolation patterns 175 may be disposed to contact the substrate 100between the pair of adjacent electrode structures. As illustrated inFIG. 1A, the isolation patterns 175 may extend in the first directionand be in parallel with each other when viewed from a plan view. Theisolation patterns 175 may include an oxide layer, a nitride layerand/or an oxynitride layer.

The electrodes in each of the electrode structures may include aplurality of cell electrodes CE sequentially stacked, e.g., along az-axis direction. In addition, the electrodes in each of the electrodestructures may include at least one floor of ground selection electrodeGSE1 and/or GSE2 disposed between the substrate 100 and a lowermost cellelectrode CE. In an embodiment, two ground selection electrodes GSE1 andGSE2 may be disposed between the substrate 100 and the lowermost cellelectrode CE, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C. For example, a firstground selection electrode GSE1 may be disposed between the substrate100 and the lowermost cell electrode CE, and a second ground selectionelectrode GSE2 may be disposed between the first ground selectionelectrode GSE1 and the lowermost cell electrode CE. However, theinventive concept is not limited to the above descriptions. For example,only a single floor of ground selection electrode GSE may be disposedbetween the substrate 100 and the lowermost cell electrode CE, asillustrated in FIG. 1F. Alternatively, three or more floors of groundselection electrodes may be disposed between the substrate 100 and thelowermost cell electrode CE.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the electrodes in each of theelectrode structures may include a plurality of first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 disposed at a same level, e.g., along a z-axisdirection, from a top surface of the substrate 100. That is, theplurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 may be coplanar toeach other. The plurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 maybe laterally separated from each other. The plurality of first stringselection electrodes SSE1 may extend in parallel along the firstdirection. The first string selection electrodes SSE1 may be disposedover an uppermost cell electrode of the cell electrodes CE. In moredetail, the plurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 may bedisposed over a single uppermost cell electrode CE in each of theelectrode structures. Each of the electrode structures may include asingle first ground selection electrode GSE1. In this case, theplurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 may be disposed overthe single first ground selection electrode GSE1.

Each of the electrode structures may include at least one floor ofstring selection electrode SSE1. In an embodiment, the electrodestructure may include a plurality of string selection electrodes thatare sequentially stacked and separated from each other. For example, aplurality of second string selection electrodes SSE2 may be additionallydisposed between the first string selection electrodes SSE1 and theuppermost cell electrode CE. The second string selection electrodes SSE2under the first string selection electrodes SSE1 may be disposed at asame level from the top surface of the substrate 100. That is, thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2 may be coplanar with each other.The second string selection electrodes SSE2 may be laterally separatedfrom each other. However, the inventive concept is not limited to theabove embodiment. For example, each of the electrode structures mayinclude a single floor of string selection electrode SSE, as illustratedin FIG. 1F. Alternatively, the electrode structure may include three ormore string selection electrodes that are sequentially stacked.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the first ground selectionelectrode GSE1 may correspond to a lowermost electrode among theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 that are stacked in each of theelectrode structures. Further, the first string selection electrode SSE1may correspond to an uppermost electrode among the electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each of the electrode structures. Thesecond string selection electrode SSE2 may correspond to a nextuppermost electrode among the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1.

The electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include a conductivematerial. For example, the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 mayinclude at least one of a doped semiconductor layer (e.g., a dopedsilicon layer), a metal layer (e.g., a tungsten layer, a copper layer oran aluminum layer), a conductive metal nitride layer (e.g., a titaniumnitride layer, a tantalum nitride layer or a tungsten nitride layer), aconductive metal-semiconductor compound layer (e.g., a metal silicidelayer) and a transition metal layer (e.g., a titanium layer or atantalum layer).

Insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua may include an uppermostinsulating pattern 105Ua, a next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUabetween the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2,and a plurality of insulating patterns 105 a between the cell electrodesCE and the ground selection electrode GSE1 and GSE2. The uppermostinsulating pattern 105Ua may be plural. The plurality of uppermostinsulating patterns 105Ua may be disposed over the plurality of firststring selection electrodes SSE1, respectively. The plurality ofuppermost insulating patterns 105Ua may be disposed at the same levelfrom the top surface of the substrate 100. Also, the next uppermostinsulating pattern 105 nUa may be plural. The plurality of nextuppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa may be disposed directly on theplurality of second string selection electrodes SSE2, respectively. Thenext uppermost insulating patterns 105 nUa may also be disposed at thesame level from the top surface of the substrate 100. The insulatingpatterns 105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua may include an oxide layer, for example,a high density plasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide(HTO) layer.

The electrode structure may further include a buffer dielectric pattern103 a disposed between the first ground selection electrode GSE1 and thesubstrate 100. The buffer dielectric pattern 103 a may be thinner thanthe insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua. The insulating patterns105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua may include an oxide layer or the like. The bufferdielectric pattern 103 a may also include an oxide layer or the like.

A plurality of vertical active patterns 120 may vertically penetrate,e.g., along a z-axis direction each of the electrode structures. Each ofthe vertical active patterns 120 may successively penetrate each of thefirst string selection electrodes SSE1 as well as the electrodes SSE2,CE, GSE2, GSE1 below the first string selection electrode SSE1. Each ofthe vertical active patterns 120 may have a hollow cylinder shape. Inthis case, the hollow space in the vertical active pattern 120 may befilled with a filling dielectric pattern 125. A landing pad 130 may bedisposed on the respective vertical active patterns 120 and the fillingdielectric pattern 125 in the respective vertical active patterns 120.The filling dielectric patterns 125 may include an oxide layer, anitride layer, and/or an oxynitride layer. The landing pad 130 may be incontact with the vertical active pattern 120.

The vertical active patterns 120 may contact the substrate 100. In moredetail, the vertical active patterns 120 may contact the well region inthe substrate 100. The vertical active patterns 120 may be formed of thesame semiconductor material as the substrate 100. For example, when thesubstrate 100 is a silicon substrate, the vertical active patterns 120may be silicon. The vertical active patterns 120 may have a crystallinestate. The vertical active patterns 120 may be doped with dopants havingthe same conductivity type (e.g., the first conductivity type) as thewell region. Alternatively, the vertical active patterns 120 may beundoped. The landing pads 130 may be formed of the same semiconductormaterial as the vertical active patterns 120, e.g., silicon. In anembodiment, drain regions may be formed in the landing pads 130,respectively. The drain regions may have a second conductivity typeopposite to the first conductivity type.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C, some of the vertical active patterns120 may successively penetrate each of the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 as well as the electrodes SSE2, CE, GSE2, GSE1 below thefirst string selection electrode SSE1. In a plan view, the verticalactive patterns 120 penetrating each of the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may be arrayed in the first direction to form columns.However, the inventive concept is not limited to the above embodiment.For example, the vertical active patterns 120 penetrating the firststring selection electrode SSE1 may be arrayed in different forms whenviewed in a plan view.

An electrode-dielectric layer 170 may be disposed between a sidewall ofthe respective vertical active patterns 120 and the respectiveelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 may extend to cover topand bottom surfaces of the respective electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1. In this case, at least a portion of the electrode-dielectric layer170 between the respective vertical active patterns 120 and the firststring selection electrode SSE1 may further extend to cover the topsurface, the bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the first stringselection electrode SSE1. In an embodiment, the entireelectrode-dielectric layers 170 between the respective vertical activepatterns 120 and the respective electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1may extend to cover the top and bottom surfaces of the respectiveelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1.

The first string selection electrodes SSE1 and the electrode-dielectriclayers 170 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1D in moredetail. FIG. 1D is an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘A’ of FIG.1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1D, at least one specific electrode among theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include first and second outersidewalls that face each other. For example, the first string selectionelectrode SSE1 may have a first outer sidewall S1 a and a second outersidewall S1 b that face each other. In this case, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 between the vertical active pattern 120and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may extend to cover thetop surface, the bottom surface, and the first outer sidewall S1 a ofthe first string selection electrode SSE1. The extension of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 may be in contact with the top surface,the bottom surface, and the first outer sidewall S1 a of the firststring selection electrode SSE1. The second outer sidewall S1 b of thefirst string selection electrode SSE1 may not be covered with theextension of the electrode-dielectric layer 170. In an embodiment, thesecond outer sidewall S1 b of the first string selection electrode SSE1may be in contact with the isolation pattern 175.

The first string selection electrode SSE1 may have an inner sidewallInS1 adjacent to the sidewall of the vertical active pattern 120. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the inner sidewall InS1 of the firststring selection electrode SSE1 may continuously surround the sidewallof the vertical active pattern 120, e.g., may be annular when thesidewall of the vertical active pattern 120 is a hollow cylinder. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 between the vertical active pattern 120and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may be disposed betweenthe sidewall of the vertical active pattern 120 and the inner sidewallInS1 of the first string selection electrode SSE1.

Similarly, the second string selection electrode SSE2 may have a firstouter sidewall S2 a and a second outer sidewall S2 b that face eachother. The first outer sidewall S2 a and the second outer sidewall S2 bof the second string selection electrode SSE2 may be vertically aligned,e.g., along a z-axis direction, with the first outer sidewall S1 a andthe second outer sidewall S1 b of the first string selection electrodeSSE1, respectively. The electrode-dielectric layer 170 between thevertical active pattern 120 and the second string selection electrodeSSE2 may extend to cover the bottom surface, the top surface, and thefirst outer sidewall S2 a of the second string selection electrode SSE2.An extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 between the verticalactive pattern 120 and the second string selection electrode SSE2 may bein contact with the bottom surface, the top surface, and the first outersidewall S2 a of the second string selection electrode SSE2.

The extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 between the verticalactive pattern 120 and the second string selection electrode SSE2 maynot cover the second outer sidewall S2 b of the second string selectionelectrode SSE2. In an embodiment, the second outer sidewall S2 b of thesecond string selection electrode SSE2 may be in contact with theisolation pattern 175. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the secondstring selection electrode SSE2 may also have an inner sidewall InS2that surrounds the sidewall of the vertical active pattern 120.

In an embodiment, the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa may havea first outer sidewall and a second outer sidewall that face each other.The first and second outer sidewalls of the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa may be adjacent to the first and second outer sidewallsS1 a and S1 b of the first string selection electrode SSE1,respectively. The extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 170covering the first outer sidewall S1 a of the first string selectionelectrode SSE1 may extend downwardly along the first outer sidewall ofthe next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa to contact the extensionof the electrode-dielectric layer 170 covering the first outer sidewallS2 a of the second string selection electrode SSE2.

Non sacrificial pattern 150 a may be disposed at one side of the firstand second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. That is, the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a may be disposed in a cutting region 140 whichis defined between the uppermost insulating patterns 105Ua, between thefirst string selection electrodes SSE1, between the next uppermostinsulating patterns 105 nUa, and between the second string selectionelectrodes SSE2 in each of the electrode structures. The non sacrificialpattern 150 a may be disposed on the uppermost cell electrode CE.

As illustrated in FIG. 1D, a horizontal distance HD, e.g., along anx-axis direction, between the non sacrificial pattern 150 a and the nextuppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa may be equal to or less than twicea thickness T, along a z-axis direction, of the electrode-dielectriclayer 170 on the top surface of the first string selection electrodeSSE1. Thus, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 may fill a space betweenthe non sacrificial pattern 150 a and the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa. The first string selection electrode SSE1 may beseparated from the second string selection electrode SSE2 thereunder.

The first string selection electrode SSE1 may be disposed in anuppermost empty region 160U between the uppermost insulating pattern105Ua and the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa. The secondstring selection electrode SSE2 may be disposed in a next uppermostempty region 160 nU between the next uppermost insulating pattern 105nUa and the insulating pattern 105 a under the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa. In this case, a portion of the electrode-dielectriclayer 170 covering the first outer sidewalls S1 a and S2 a of the firstand second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be disposedoutside the uppermost empty region 160U and the next uppermost emptyregion 160 nU. As such, lateral widths, e.g., along an x-axis direction,of the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may beincreased, thereby lowering the electrical resistance of the first andsecond string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2.

A residual sacrificial spacer 145 r may be disposed on one outersidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua. The residualsacrificial spacer 145 r may be disposed between the uppermostinsulating patterns 105Ua and the non sacrificial pattern 150 a. Theresidual sacrificial spacer 145 r may be disposed on the extension ofthe electrode-dielectric layer 170 covering the first outer sidewall S1a of the first string selection electrode SSE1. In an embodiment, alateral width, e.g., along an x-axis direction, of the residualsacrificial spacer 145 r may be substantially equal to the horizontaldistance HD.

The residual sacrificial spacer 145 r may include a dielectric materialhaving an etch selectivity with respect to the insulating patterns 105a, 105 nUa, 105Ua and to the non sacrificial pattern 150 a. For example,in the event that the insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua and thenon sacrificial spacers 150 a are formed of a high density plasma (HDP)oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer, the residualsacrificial spacers 145 r may be formed of a nitride layer, anoxynitride layer, a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD)oxide layer, and/or a low temperature oxide (LTO) layer. The LTO layermay correspond to an oxide layer which is formed at a processtemperature within the range of about room temperature to about 600° C.

Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a pair of the residualsacrificial spacers 145 r may be disposed on both inner sidewalls of thecutting region 140, respectively. As described above, each of theresidual sacrificial spacers 145 r may be disposed between the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a and the inner sidewall of the cutting region140. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the pair of residual sacrificial spacers145 r may extend in parallel in the first direction, e.g., a y-axisdirection. In an embodiment, end portions of the pair of residualsacrificial spacers 145 r may extend to contact each other at an endportion of the cutting region 140. The end portions of the pair ofresidual sacrificial spacers 145 r may be connected to each other at theend portion of the cutting region 140, as illustrated in the plan viewof FIG. 1A. In an embodiment, the residual sacrificial spacers 145 r maybe absent, i.e., sacrificial spacers used during manufacturing may becompletely removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to an embodiment, both outersidewalls CE_Sa and CE_Sb (e.g., first and second outer sidewalls) ofthe respective cell electrodes CE may not be covered with theelectrode-dielectric layer 170, in contrast to the first and secondstring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. Similarly, both outersidewalls GSE_Sa and GSE_Sb of each of the ground selection electrodesGSE1 and GSE2 may not be covered with the electrode-dielectric layer170. In an embodiment, the first and second outer sidewalls CE_Sa andCE_Sb of the respective cell electrodes CE may be in contact with thepair of isolation patterns 175 disposed at both sides of each of theelectrode structures, respectively. Further, the first and second outersidewalls GSE_Sa and GSE_Sb of each of the respective ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 and GSE2 may be in contact with the pair of isolationpatterns 175 disposed at both sides of each of the electrode structures,respectively. Each of the cell electrodes CE may include a plurality ofinner sidewalls surrounding the sidewalls of the vertical activepatterns 120 that penetrate the first string selection electrodes SSE1in each of the electrode structures. Each of the ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 and GSE2 may also include a plurality of inner sidewallssurrounding the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 120 thatpenetrate the first string selection electrodes SSE1 in each of theelectrode structures.

Now, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 1E. FIG. 1E is an enlarged view illustrating aportion ‘B’ of FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1E, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 mayinclude a tunneling dielectric layer TDL, a charge storing layer SL, anda blocking dielectric layer BDL. The tunneling dielectric layer TDL maybe adjacent the vertical active patterns 120. The blocking dielectriclayer BDL may be adjacent to the respective electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1. The charge storing layer SL may be disposed between thetunneling dielectric layer TDL and the blocking dielectric layer BDL.The tunneling dielectric layer TDL may include an oxide layer and/or anoxynitride layer. The charge storing layer SL may include a dielectriclayer having traps capable of storing charges. For example, the chargestoring layer SL may include a nitride layer and/or a metal oxide layer(e.g., a hafnium oxide layer). The blocking dielectric layer BDL mayinclude a high-k dielectric layer having a dielectric constant which ishigher than that of the tunneling dielectric layer TDL. In anembodiment, the high-k dielectric layer may include a metal oxide layersuch as a hafnium oxide layer and/or an aluminum oxide layer. Moreover,the blocking dielectric layer BDL may further include a barrierdielectric layer (e.g., an oxide layer) having an energy band gap whichis greater than that of the high-k dielectric layer. The barrierdielectric layer may be disposed between the high-k dielectric layer andthe charge storing layer SL.

In an embodiment, all of the tunneling dielectric layers TDL, the chargestoring layers SL and the blocking dielectric layers BDL in each of theelectrode structures may extend to cover top and bottom surfaces of theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E.In addition, each of the extensions of the electrode-dielectric layers170 covering the first outer sidewalls S1 a and S2 a of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may include extensions of thetunneling dielectric layer TDL, the charge storing layer SL, and theblocking dielectric layer BDL.

Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, common source regionsCS may be disposed in the substrate 100 between the electrodestructures. The common source regions CS may be doped with dopants ofthe second conductivity type. The common source regions CS may be formedin the well region of the substrate 100. The isolation patterns 175 maybe disposed on the common source regions CS, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C, each of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each of the electrode structures may includean electrode pad EP at an edge thereof. The electrode pads EP of theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each of the electrodestructures may constitute a stepped structure. The electrode pads EP ofthe electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each of theelectrode structures may exhibit a configuration stepped down in thefirst direction (e.g., a positive y-axis direction). Electrical signals,such as operating voltages, may be applied to the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 through the electrode pads EP. For example, theelectrical signals may be applied to the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1 through conductive plugs contacting the electrode pads EP.

Each of the vertical active patterns 120 and the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 adjacent thereto may constitute a single vertical cellstring. That is, the vertical cell string may include a plurality ofcell transistors serially connected to each other. Moreover, thevertical cell string may further include at least one ground selectiontransistor and at least one string selection transistor. The at leastone ground selection transistor may be serially connected to one end ofthe cell transistors that are serially connected and the at least onestring selection transistor may be serially connected to the other endof the cell transistors that are serially connected. That is, the atleast one ground selection transistor may be serially connected to thelowermost cell transistor and the at least one string selectiontransistor may be serially connected to the uppermost cell transistor.In the event that the at least one ground selection transistor includesa plurality of ground selection transistors, the plurality of groundselection transistors in the vertical cell string may be seriallyconnected to each other. Similarly, in the event that the at least onestring selection transistor includes a plurality of string selectiontransistors, the plurality of string selection transistors in thevertical cell string may be serially connected to each other.

The cell transistors may be defined at intersections of the verticalactive patterns 120 and the cell electrodes CE, respectively. Further,the ground selection transistors may be defined at intersections of thevertical active patterns 120 and the ground section electrodes GSE1 andGSE2, respectively. Similarly, the string selection transistors may bedefined at intersections of the vertical active patterns 120 and thestring section electrodes SSE1 and SSE2, respectively. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 between the respective cell electrodes CEand the respective vertical active patterns 120 may correspond to a datastorage layer of the cell transistor. The electrode-dielectric layer 170between the respective string selection electrodes SSE1 or SSE2 and therespective vertical active patterns 120 may correspond to a gatedielectric layer of the string selection transistor. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 between the respective ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 or GSE2 and the respective vertical active patterns 120may correspond to a gate dielectric layer of the ground selectiontransistor.

The ground selection transistors, the cell transistors, and the stringselection transistors in each of the vertical cell strings may besequentially stacked. Therefore, the ground selection transistors, thecell transistors, and the string selection transistors in each of thevertical cell strings may include vertical channel regions defined atthe sidewall of the respective vertical active patterns 120. Duringoperation of the three dimensional semiconductor memory device,inversion layers may be generated at portions of the sidewalls of thevertical active patterns 120 adjacent to the insulating patterns 105 a,105 nUa, 105Ua. This may be due to the fringe field of the electrodesGSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. The inversion layers may act as source/drainregions of the cell transistors, the string selection transistors andthe ground selection transistors.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A to 1C, capping dielectric patterns 135 a maybe disposed on the electrode structures including the electrode pads EP,respectively. Further, the capping dielectric patterns 135 a may bedisposed on the uppermost insulating patterns 105Ua of the electrodestructures. In this case, each of the capping dielectric patterns 135 amay have sidewalls that are vertically aligned, e.g., along a z-axisdirection, with both outer sidewalls of the respective uppermostinsulating patterns 105Ua. In an embodiment, the residual sacrificialspacers 145 r may extend upwardly, e.g., along a z-axis away from thesubstrate 100, to cover the sidewalls of the capping dielectric patterns135 a, as shown in FIG. 1B. Each of the capping dielectric patterns 135a may include a dielectric material having an etch selectivity withrespect to the residual sacrificial spacers 145 r. For example, thecapping dielectric patterns 135 a may include an oxide layer, e.g., ahigh density plasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide(HTO) layer.

The non sacrificial patterns 150 a may extend upwardly between thesidewalls of the capping dielectric patterns 135 a. In addition, the nonsacrificial patterns 150 a may further extend, e.g., along a x-axisdirection, to cover top surfaces of the capping dielectric patterns 135a. In this case, each of the non sacrificial patterns 150 a may havesidewalls that vertically aligned, e.g., along a z-axis direction, withboth outer sidewalls CE_Sa and CE_Sb of the uppermost cell electrode CErespectively. Alternatively, the non sacrificial patterns 150 a may notcover the top surfaces of the capping dielectric patterns 135 a. Theisolation patterns 175 may extend upwardly so that the cappingdielectric pattern 135 a and the non sacrificial pattern 150 a may bedisposed between adjacent isolation patterns 175.

Interconnections 190 may extend in the second direction, e.g., an x-axisdirection, and be parallel with each other. The interconnections 190 maybe electrically connected to the vertical active patterns 120. Forexample, the interconnections 190 may be electrically connected to thevertical active patterns 120 through contact plugs 180 penetrating thenon sacrificial patterns 150 a and the capping dielectric patterns 135a. The contact plugs 180 may be in contact with respective landing pads130. Each of the interconnections 190 may be electrically connected to aplurality of the vertical active patterns 120 arrayed in the seconddirection. In an embodiment, the interconnections 190 may correspond tobit lines.

Each of the interconnections 190 may include at least one of a metallayer (e.g., a tungsten layer, a copper layer, or an aluminum layer), aconductive metal nitride layer (e.g., a titanium nitride layer, atantalum nitride layer, or a tungsten nitride layer), and a transitionmetal layer (e.g., a titanium layer or a tantalum layer). Each of thecontact plugs 180 may also include at least one of a metal layer (e.g.,a tungsten layer, a copper layer, or an aluminum layer), a conductivemetal nitride layer (e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitridelayer, or a tungsten nitride layer), and a transition metal layer (e.g.,a titanium layer or a tantalum layer).

According to the three dimensional semiconductor memory device as setforth above, the first outer sidewalls S1 a and S2 a of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be covered with theelectrode-dielectric layer 170. As such, the first outer sidewalls S1 aand S2 a of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may beprotected from an etching process. Further, at least a portion of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 covering the first outer sidewalls S1 aand S2 a may be disposed outside the uppermost empty region 160U and thenext uppermost empty region 160 nU. This may allow an increase in thelateral widths, e.g., along an x-axis direction, of the string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2. With this increase, the electrical resistanceof the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be reduced. As aresult, a high reliable and highly integrated three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device may be realized.

FIG. 2A illustrates a plan view of another modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a firstembodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 2B is a cross sectional viewtaken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an end portion of the cutting region 140and a connection between the adjacent residual sacrificial spacers 145 rin the cutting region 140 illustrated in FIG. 1A may be removed to formresidual sacrificial spacers 145 r′ in a cutting region 140 a of FIGS.2A and 2B. The adjacent residual sacrificial spacers 145 r′ in thecutting region 140 a may be separated from each other, as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B. In this case, a non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ may bedisposed under a capping dielectric pattern 135 a′. The cappingdielectric pattern 135 a′ may be disposed outside the cutting region 140a. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ may bedisposed only on the first string selection electrodes SSE1 and in thecutting region 140 a. That is, the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ maynot cover the electrode pads EP of the electrodes SSE2, CE, GSE2, GSE1located under the first string selection electrodes SSE1. The cappingdielectric pattern 135 a′ may cover the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and the electrode pads EP of the electrodes SSE2, CE,GSE2, GSE1 located under the first string selection electrodes SSE1.

In an embodiment, top surfaces of the landing pads 130 on the verticalactive patterns 120 may be coplanar with a top surface of the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a′. Alternatively, the top surfaces of thelanding pads 130 may be coplanar with a top surface of the uppermostinsulating pattern 105Ua.

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 1A toillustrate still another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of theinventive concept. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view illustrating a portion‘C’ of FIG. 3A.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an electrode-dielectric layer 170 abetween the vertical active pattern 120 and the respective electrodesGSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include a first portion 165 a and asecond portion 165 b. In this case, the first portion 165 a of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 a may extend vertically between thevertical active pattern 120 and the insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa,105Ua. The second portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 amay extend horizontally to cover top and bottom surfaces of therespective electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. The second portion 165b of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 a between the vertical activepattern 120 and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may extend tocover the first outer sidewall of the first string selection electrodeSSE1. Similarly, the second portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectriclayer 170 a between the vertical active pattern 120 and the secondstring selection electrode SSE2 may extend to cover the first outersidewall of the second string selection electrode SSE2. In this case, ahorizontal distance HD between the non sacrificial pattern 150 a and thefirst outer sidewall of the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUamay be equal to or less than twice a thickness T′ of the second portion165 b on the top surface of the first string selection electrode SSE1.

The first portion 165 a of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 a mayinclude at least a portion of the tunneling dielectric layer TDLdescribed with reference to FIG. 1E. The second portion 165 b of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 a may include at least a portion of theblocking dielectric layer BDL described with reference to FIG. 1E. Anyone of the first and second portions 165 a and 165 b may include thecharge storing layer SL described with reference to FIG. 1E. Forexample, the first portion 165 a may include the tunneling dielectriclayer TDL, the charge storing layer SL, and a barrier dielectric layerof the blocking dielectric layer BDL, and the second portion 165 b mayinclude a high-k dielectric layer of the blocking dielectric layer BDL.Alternatively, the first and second portions 165 a and 165 b may beembodied in different forms.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of yet another modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a firstembodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 4, the odd-numbered landing pads 130 of the landingpads 130 on the vertical active patterns 120 penetrating each of thefirst string selection electrodes SSE1 may be offset from theeven-numbered landing pads 130 in the second direction, e.g., along anx-axis direction. The vertical active patterns 120 may be disposed underrespective landing pads 130. Further, the vertical active patterns 120may be vertically aligned with respective landing pads 130. As such, thevertical active patterns 120 penetrating the respective first stringselection electrodes SSE1 may be arrayed in a zigzag pattern in thefirst direction.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 1B, a bottom surface of the cutting region 140 and abottom surface of the non sacrificial pattern 150 a in the cuttingregion 140 may extend further downwardly, e.g., along a z-axis directiontowards the substrate 100. Thus, the cutting region 140 and the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a may penetrate at least the uppermost cellelectrode CE, as illustrated in FIG. 44 (fourth embodiment). In thiscase, each of the electrode structures may include a plurality ofuppermost cell electrodes, for example, a pair of uppermost cellelectrodes which are horizontally separated from each other. Theplurality of uppermost cell electrodes in each of the electrodestructure may be located at a same level from the top surface of thesubstrate 100. In this case, an outer sidewall of each of the uppermostcell electrodes adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 150 a may becovered with an extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 betweenthe sidewall of the vertical active pattern and the uppermost cellelectrode. In an embodiment, the cutting region 140 and the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a may extend further downwardly, therebypenetrating the uppermost cell electrode and the next uppermost cellelectrode.

FIGS. 5A to 10A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a first embodimentof the inventive concept. FIGS. 5B to 10B are cross sectional viewstaken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 5A to 10A, respectively. In addition,FIGS. 5C to 10C are cross sectional views taken along lines II-II′ ofFIGS. 5A to 10A, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, a buffer dielectric layer 103 may beformed on a substrate 100. A plurality of sacrificial layers 110, 110nU, 110U and a plurality of insulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U may bealternately and repeatedly stacked on the buffer dielectric layer 103.The sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U may be formed of a materiallayer having an etching selectivity with respect to the insulatinglayers 105, 105 nU, 105U. For example, each of the insulating layers105, 105 nU, 105U may be formed of an oxide layer such as a high densityplasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer,and each of the sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U may be formed of anitride layer.

The insulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U and the sacrificial layers 110,110 nU, 110U may be patterned to form sacrificial pads 110P of thesacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U. During formation of thesacrificial pads 110P, the insulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U and thesacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U may be etched using a consumptionetch mask. For example, a mask pattern may be formed to define thesacrificial pad 110P of the lowermost sacrificial layer 110 among thesacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U. The insulating layers 105, 105 nU,105U and the sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U may be etched usingthe mask pattern as an etch mask. As such, the sacrificial pad 110P ofthe lowermost sacrificial layer 110 may be formed. The mask pattern maybe recessed or shrunken to reduce a width of the mask pattern. Theinsulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U and the sacrificial layers 110, 110nU, 110U on the lowermost sacrificial layer may be etched using therecessed mask pattern as an etch mask. As such, the sacrificial pad 110Pof the next lowermost sacrificial layer 110 may be formed, and thesacrificial pad 110P of the lowermost sacrificial layer 110 may beexposed. The recess process of the mask pattern and the etch process ofthe insulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U and the sacrificial layers 110,110 nU, 110U may be repeatedly performed to form the sacrificial pads110P constituting a stepped shape. Alternatively, the sacrificial pads110P constituting the stepped shape may be formed by different methodsfrom the above descriptions.

The insulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U, the sacrificial layers 110, 110nU, 110U, and the buffer dielectric layer 103 may be patterned to form aplurality of holes 115 penetrating the insulating layers 105, 105 nU,105U, the sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U, and the bufferdielectric layer 103. A vertical active pattern 120, a fillingdielectric pattern 125, and a landing pad 130 may be formed in each ofthe holes 115. A capping dielectric layer 135 may be formed to cover anentire surface of the substrate having the vertical active patterns 120,the filling dielectric patterns 125, and the landing pads 130. Thecapping dielectric layer 135 may include a dielectric material having anetching selectivity with respect to the sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU,110U. For example, the capping dielectric layer 135 may be formed of anoxide layer. In FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, ‘105U’ indicates an uppermostinsulating layer of the insulating layers and ‘105 nU’ indicates a nextuppermost insulating layer of the insulating layers. Similarly, ‘110U’indicates an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers and‘110 nU’ indicates a next uppermost sacrificial layer of the insulatinglayers.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the capping dielectric layer 135, theuppermost insulating layer 105U, the uppermost sacrificial layer 110U,the next uppermost insulating layer 105 nU, and the next uppermostsacrificial layer 110 nU may be patterned to form a cutting region 140.As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the cutting region 140 may have a grooveshape extending in a first direction, e.g., a y-axis direction. Thecutting region 140 may cross the sacrificial pads 11 OP of the uppermostsacrificial layer 110U and the next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU.Alternatively, the cutting region 140 may cross the sacrificial pads110P of all the sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U which aresequentially stacked.

A spacer layer 145 may be conformably formed on the substrate having thecutting region 140. As such, the spacer layer 145 may be formed to asubstantially uniform thickness on an inner surface of the cuttingregion 140 and a top surface of the capping dielectric layer 135. Thespacer layer 145 may be formed to have a first thickness Td, e.g., alonga z-axis direction.

The spacer layer 145 may include a dielectric material having an etchrate which is higher than that of the insulating layers 105, 105 nU,105U. In an embodiment, the etch rate of the spacer layer 145 may beequal to or higher than 10% of the etch rate of the sacrificial layers110, 110 nU, 110U. In addition, the etch rate of the spacer layer 145may be lower than 200% of the etch rate of the sacrificial layers 110,110 nU, 110U. For example, the spacer layer 145 may be formed of anitride layer, an oxynitride layer, a plasma enhanced chemical vapordeposition (PE-CVD) oxide layer and/or a low temperature oxide (LTO)layer. The LTO layer may correspond to an oxide layer which is formed ata temperature within the range of about room temperature to about 600°C.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the spacer layer 145 may be etchedusing a blanket anisotropic etch technique, thereby forming a pair ofsacrificial spacers 145 a on both inner sidewalls of the cutting region140, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the pair of sacrificialspacers 145 a may be connected to each other at an end portion of thecutting region 140.

A non sacrificial layer 150 filling the cutting region 140 may be formedon the substrate 100 having the sacrificial spacers 145 a. The nonsacrificial layer 150 may be formed of a dielectric material having anetch rate which is lower than that of the sacrificial spacers 145 a. Inan embodiment, the non sacrificial layer 150 may include a dielectricmaterial having an etch rate which is lower than 10% of the etch rate ofthe sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U. For example, the nonsacrificial layer 150 may be formed of an oxide layer such as a highdensity plasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO)layer. In an embodiment, the non sacrificial layer 150 may beplanarized. In this case, the planarized non sacrificial layer may bedisposed only in the cutting region 140. In the following descriptions,the planarization process of the non sacrificial layer 150 will beomitted for the ease and convenience of explanation.

According to the above descriptions, after formation of the holes 115and the vertical active patterns 120, the cutting region 140, thesacrificial spacers 145 a, and the non sacrificial layer 150 may beformed. However, the inventive concept is not limited to the abovedescriptions. For example, the holes 115 and the vertical activepatterns 120 may be formed after formation of the cutting region 140,the sacrificial spacers 145 a and the non sacrificial layer 150.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the non sacrificial layer 150, thecapping dielectric layer 135, the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU and105, the sacrificial layers 110U, 110 nU and 110, and the bufferdielectric layer 103 may be patterned to form trenches 155. The cuttingregion 140 may be located between the pair of adjacent trenches 155. Amold pattern may be defined between the pair of adjacent trenches 155.That is, a plurality of mold patterns may be separated from each otherby the trenches 155. Each of the mold patterns may include sacrificialpatterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua and insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa,105Ua which are alternately stacked. Each of the mold patterns mayfurther include a capping dielectric pattern 135 a, the cutting region140, the sacrificial spacers 145 a and a non sacrificial pattern 150 afilling the cutting region 140. Moreover, each of the mold patterns mayfurther include a buffer dielectric pattern 103 a disposed between thelowermost sacrificial pattern 110 a and the substrate 100.

After forming the cutting regions 140 and the trenches 155, each of themold patterns may include a plurality of uppermost insulating patterns105Ua, e.g., a pair of uppermost insulating patterns 105Ua, located at asame level, e.g., along a z-axis direction, from the top surface of thesubstrate 100. Similarly, each of the mold patterns may include aplurality of uppermost sacrificial patterns 110Ua, a plurality of nextuppermost insulating patterns 105 nUa and a plurality of next uppermostsacrificial patterns 110 nUa. Each of the mold patterns may also includea single sacrificial pattern 110 a in each floor under the cuttingregion 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the trenches 155 may extend in parallel inthe first direction. Further, the trenches 155 may expose thesacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua. The sacrificial pads 110P ofthe sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua in each mold pattern maybe separated from the sacrificial pads 110P of the sacrificial patterns110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua in the adjacent mold pattern.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110nUa, 110Ua exposed by the trenches 155 may be removed to form emptyregions 160, 160 nU, 160U. During removal of the sacrificial patterns110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua, portions of the sacrificial spacers 145 acontacting the uppermost sacrificial patterns 110Ua and the nextuppermost sacrificial patterns 110 nUa may also be removed. As a result,recessed regions 162 may be formed at both sides of the non sacrificialpattern 150 a in each of the cutting regions 140, while upper portions145 r of the sacrificial spacers 145 a may remain on upper sidewalls ofthe cutting regions 140. The non sacrificial pattern 150 a may have anetch selectivity with respect to the sacrificial spacers 145 a and thesacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua. Thus, the non sacrificialpattern 150 a may remain while the sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa,110Ua are removed.

Removal of the uppermost sacrificial patterns 110Ua may provideuppermost empty regions 160U separated from each other by the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a. Similarly, removal of the next uppermostsacrificial patterns 110 nUa may provide next uppermost empty regions160 nU separated from each other by the non sacrificial pattern 150 a.Each of the recessed regions 162 may be physically connected to theuppermost empty region 160U and the next uppermost empty region 160 nUadjacent thereto. That is, the uppermost empty region 160U and the nextuppermost empty region 160 nU may be spatially connected to each otherby the recessed region 162 therebetween.

According to the above embodiment, the residual sacrificial spacers 145r may exist on the recessed regions 162. However, the inventive conceptis not limited to the above embodiment. For example, all the sacrificialspacers 145 a may be completely removed while the recessed regions 162are formed.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, an electrode-dielectric layer 170may be conformably formed on the substrate having the empty regions 106,106 nU, 106U and the recessed regions 162. Thus, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 may be formed to a uniform thickness oninner surfaces of the empty regions 106, 106 nU, 106U. Further, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 may be formed even in the recessedregions 162.

According to an embodiment, the thickness Td of the spacer layer 145illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C may be substantially equal to or less thantwice the thickness of the electrode-dielectric layer 170. As such, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 may fill at least a portion of therecessed region 162 contacting a sidewall of each of the next uppermostinsulating patterns 105 nUa. Moreover, the electrode-dielectric layer170 may also fill the recessed region 162 contacting a sidewall of eachof the uppermost insulating patterns 105Ua.

A conductive layer may be then formed to fill the empty regions 106, 106nU, 106U on the substrate having the electrode-dielectric layer 170. Theconductive layer may be etched to form electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1 filling the empty regions 106, 106 nU, 106U. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 disposed on inner sidewalls of thetrenches 155 may be removed. Since each of the recessed regions 162contacting the sidewalls of the next uppermost insulating patterns 105nUa can be filled with the electrode-dielectric layer 170, first stringselection electrodes SSE1 filling the uppermost empty regions 106U maybe separated from second string selection electrodes SSE2 filling thenext uppermost empty regions 106 nU. In addition, since each of therecessed regions 162 contacting the sidewalls of the uppermostinsulating patterns 105Ua can be filled with the electrode-dielectriclayer 170, the first string selection electrodes SSE1 disposed at bothsides of each of the cutting regions 140 may also be separated from eachother. Formation of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 completesthe electrode structure described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E.

Dopants of a second conductivity type may be provided into the substrate100 under the trenches 155 to form common source regions CS. The commonsource regions CS may be formed after formation of the electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. Alternatively, the common source regions CS may beformed after formation of the mold patterns and prior to formation ofthe empty regions 106, 106 nU, 106U. Still alternatively, the commonsource regions CS may be formed after formation of the empty regions106, 106 nU, 106U and prior to formation of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1.

Subsequently, the isolation patterns 175 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1Emay be formed in the trenches 155, respectively. The contact plugs 180and the interconnections 190 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E may then beformed. As such, the three dimensional semiconductor memory devicedisclosed in FIGS. 1A to 1E may be realized.

According to the above methods of fabricating the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device, the uppermost sacrificial layer 110U andthe next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU are patterned to form thecutting regions 140, and the non sacrificial layer 150 is then formed.Subsequently, the trenches 155 are formed to expose the sacrificialpatterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua, and the exposed sacrificial patterns 110a, 110 nUa, 110Ua are removed to form the empty regions 160, 160 nU,160U. Thus, the uppermost empty regions 160U in each of the moldpatterns are separated from each other by the non sacrificial pattern150a filling the cutting region 140. Further, the next uppermost emptyregions 160 nU in each of the mold patterns may also be separated fromeach other by the non sacrificial pattern150 a filling the cuttingregion 140. As such, in each of the electrode structures, the firststring selection electrodes SSE1 separated from each other and thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2 separated from each other may beformed at substantially the same time as the cell electrodes CE and theground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2. As a result, first outersidewalls (S1 a and S2 a of FIG. 1D) of the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 adjacent to the non sacrificialpattern 150 a may be protected from an etching process. Thus, etchdamage to the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2may be minimized, thereby reducing the electrical resistance of thefirst and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2.

Furthermore, the sacrificial spacers 145 a are formed on both innersidewalls of the cutting region 140, and at least a portion of therespective sacrificial spacers 145 a may be removed to form the recessedregions 162 during formation of the empty regions 106, 106 nU and 106U.Thus, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 may be formed in the recessedregions 162, thereby increasing horizontal widths of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. As a result, the electricalresistance of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may furtherlowered.

Meanwhile, according to the above fabrication methods, the cuttingregions 140 may be formed after forming the sacrificial pads 110P.Alternatively, the sacrificial pads 110P may be formed after forming thecutting regions 140. This method will be hereinafter described withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 11A and 12A illustrate plan views of a modified embodiment of amethod of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 11B and12B are cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 11A to12A, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the uppermost insulating layer 105U, theuppermost sacrificial layer 110U, the next uppermost insulating layer105 nU, and the next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU may be patternedto form cutting regions 140. A pair of sacrificial spacers 145 a may beformed on both inner sidewalls of each of the cutting regions 140,respectively. In this case, end portions of the pair of sacrificialspacers 145 a may be connected to each other at an end portion of eachof the cutting regions 140, as illustrated in FIG. 11A. A nonsacrificial layer 150 may be then formed to fill the cutting regions140.

A plurality of holes 115 may be formed to penetrate the non sacrificiallayer 150, the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU, 105, the sacrificiallayers 110U, 110 nU, 110, and the buffer dielectric layer 103. Avertical active pattern 120, a filling dielectric pattern 125, and alanding pad 130 may be formed in each of the holes 115. In anembodiment, the cutting regions 140 and the non sacrificial layer 150may be formed after formation of the holes 115, the vertical activepatterns 120, the filling dielectric patterns 125, and the landing pads130. In this case, the non sacrificial layer 150 may cover the landingpads 130 on the vertical active patterns 120.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, after forming the cutting regions 140and the non sacrificial layer 150, the non sacrificial layer 150, theinsulating layers 105U, 105 nU, 105, and the sacrificial layers 110U,110 n, U110 may be patterned to form sacrificial pads 110P exhibiting astepped structure. While the sacrificial pads 110P are formed, the endportions of the cutting regions 140 and connections between thesacrificial spacers 145 a in the respective cutting regions 140 may alsobe removed to form a pair of separate sacrificial spacers 145 a′ in eachof the cutting regions 140. After the sacrificial pads 110P are formed,the patterned non sacrificial layer 150′ may not cover the sacrificialpads 110P of the sacrificial layers 110 nU and 110 disposed under theuppermost sacrificial layer 110U.

After forming the sacrificial pads 110P, a capping dielectric layer 135′may be formed on an entire surface of the substrate. Subsequently, aformation process of the trenches 155 described with reference to FIGS.8A to 8C, a formation process of the empty regions 106U, 106 nU, 106 andthe recessed regions 162 described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C, anda formation process of the electrode-dielectric layer 170 and theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 described with reference to FIGS.10A to 10C may be sequentially performed. As such, the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B may berealized.

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate cross sectional views of another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, prior to formation of the vertical activepatterns 120, first portions 165 a of the electrode-dielectric layersmay be formed on inner walls of the holes 115, respectively. The firstportions 165 a on the bottom surfaces of the holes 115 may beselectively removed. As such, the vertical active patterns 120, formedafter formation of the first portions 165 a, may be in contact with thesubstrate 100. A capping dielectric layer 135 may be then formed on thesubstrate having the vertical active patterns 120, the fillingdielectric patterns 125 and the landing pads 130. In this case, thecapping dielectric layer 135 may cover the landing pads 130. The sameprocesses as described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, FIGS. 7A to 7C,FIGS. 8A to 8C, and FIGS. 9A to 9C may be performed after forming thecapping dielectric layer 135. As a result, empty regions 106U, 106 nUand 106 and recessed regions 162 may be formed.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the empty regions 106U, 106 nU, 106 mayexpose portions of the first portion 165 a disposed on the sidewall ofeach of the vertical active patterns 120.

Referring to FIG. 15, a second portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectriclayer may be conformably formed on the substrate having the emptyregions 106U, 106 nU, 106 and the recessed regions 162. In this case, alateral width of the sacrificial spacer 145 r may be equal to or lessthan twice the thickness of the second portion 165 b of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 a.

Subsequently, a conductive layer filling the empty regions 106U, 106 nU,106 may be formed, and the conductive layer may be etched to formelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 in the empty regions 106U, 106 nU,106. Subsequent processes may be performed as described with referenceto FIGS. 10A to 10C. As such, the three dimensional semiconductor memorydevice illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be realized.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the same elements as described in the firstembodiment will be indicated by the same reference numerals or the samereference designators. For the ease and convenience of explanation, thedescriptions to the same elements as in the first embodiment will beomitted or mentioned briefly. That is, differences between the presentembodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly describedhereinafter.

FIG. 16A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 16B is a crosssectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C is anenlarged view illustrating a portion ‘D’ of FIG. 16A.

Referring to FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C, a first outer sidewall S1 a′ ofthe first string selection electrode SSE1 may laterally, e.g., along anx-axis direction, protrude further than a first outer sidewall of theuppermost insulating pattern 105Ua on the first string selectionelectrode SSE1. Similarly, a first outer sidewall S2 a′ of the secondstring selection electrode SSE2 may laterally protrude more than a firstouter sidewall of the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa betweenthe first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 disposed between the vertical activepattern 120 and inner sidewalls InS1 and InS2 of the first and secondstring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may extend to cover the firstand second outer sidewalls S1 a′ and S2 a′ of the first and secondstring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2.

The first string selection electrodes SSE1 may extend downwardly, e.g.,along a z-axis direction, along the first outer sidewall of the nextuppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa, thereby being connected to thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2 located under the first stringselection electrodes SSE1. A connection 200 between the first and secondstring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be interposed between thefirst outer sidewall of the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUaand the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ in the cutting region 140 a. Inaddition, the connection 200 between the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be disposed between theextensions of the electrode-dielectric layer 170.

According to the present embodiment, a horizontal distance HDa, e.g.,along an x-axis direction, between the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′and the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa may greater than twicethe thickness of the electrode-dielectric layer 170. Thus, a space whichis capable of accommodating the connection 200 may be provided betweenthe non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ and the first outer sidewall of thenext uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa.

As described above, the first and second string selection electrodesSSE1 and SSE2, which are stacked, may be connected to each other. Theconnected first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2disposed at one side of the non sacrificial pattern 150 a in the cuttingregion 140 a may be separated from the connected first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 disposed at the other side of the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a in the cutting region 140 a.

According to an embodiment, a portion of the first string selectionelectrode SSE1, which is adjacent to the first outer sidewall S1 a′ ofthe first string selection electrode SSE1, may upwardly protrude, e.g.,along a z-axis direction away from the substrate 100, to cover the firstouter sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua.

According to the three dimensional semiconductor memory device asdescribed above, the first outer sidewalls S1 a′ and S2 a′ of the firstand second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may laterallyprotrude more than the first outer sidewalls of the uppermost insulatingpattern 105Ua and the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa,respectively. As such, lateral widths of the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be increased to reduce theelectrical resistance of the first and second string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2. Moreover, the stacked first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be electrically connected tofurther reduce the electrical resistance of the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. As a result, it may be possible tooptimize the three dimensional semiconductor memory device with highreliability and high integration density.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 16A toillustrate a modified embodiment of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 17, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 a between thevertical active pattern 120 and the respective electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include a first portion 165 a and a second portion165 b. The first portions 165 a may vertically extend between thesidewall of the vertical active pattern 120 and the insulating patterns105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua. The second portions 165 b may extend to coverbottom surfaces and top surfaces of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1. Moreover, the second portions 165 b may further extend to coverfirst outer sidewalls of the first and second string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2. In the present modified embodiment, ahorizontal distance between the next uppermost insulating pattern 105nUa and the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ in the cutting region may begreater than twice a thickness of the second portion 165 b on a topsurface of the first string selection electrode SSE1.

FIG. 18A is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 16Ato illustrate another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of theinventive concept. FIG. 18B is an enlarged view illustrating a portion‘E’ of FIG. 18A.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, in the present modified embodiment, aelectrode-dielectric layer 170′ between the sidewall of the verticalactive pattern 120 and the respective electrodes GSE1 a, GSE2 a, CEa,SSE2 a, SSE1 a may extend vertically between the sidewall of thevertical active pattern 120 and the insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa,105Ua. In this case, each of the electrodes GSE1 a, GSE2 a, CEa, SSE2 a,SSE1 a may include a metal pattern MP and a barrier conductive patternBP. The barrier conductive pattern BP may be disposed between the metalpattern MP and the insulating pattern adjacent to each other, andbetween the metal pattern MP and the electrode-dielectric layer 170′adjacent to each other.

As disclosed in FIG. 18B, the metal pattern MP of the first stringselection electrode SSE1 a may have a first outer sidewall MS1 a and asecond outer sidewall MS1 b which face each other. The first outersidewall MS1 a may be adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ andthe second outer sidewall MS1 b may be adjacent to the isolation pattern175 a. The barrier conductive pattern BP in the first string selectionelectrode SSE1 a may be in contact with the first outer sidewall MS1 aof the metal pattern MP in the first string selection electrode SSE1 a.In an embodiment, the second outer sidewall MS1 b of the metal patternMP in the first string selection electrode SSE1 a may not be in contactwith the barrier conductive pattern BP in the first string selectionelectrode SSE1 a.

Similarly, the metal pattern MP of the second string selection electrodeSSE2 a may have a first outer sidewall MS2 a and a second outer sidewallMS2 b that face each other. The first and second outer sidewalls MS2 aand MS2 b of the metal pattern MP in the second string selectionelectrode SSE2 a may be vertically aligned with the first and secondouter sidewalls MS1 a and MS1 b of the metal pattern MP in the firststring selection electrode SSE1 a, respectively. The barrier conductivepattern BP in the second string selection electrode SSE2 a may be incontact with the first outer sidewall MS2 a of the metal pattern MP inthe second string selection electrode SSE2 a. In an embodiment, thesecond outer sidewall MS2 b of the metal pattern MP in the second stringselection electrode SSE2 a may not be in contact with the barrierconductive pattern BP in the second string selection electrode SSE2 a.In an embodiment, the second outer sidewalls MS1 b and MS2 b of themetal patterns MP of the first and second string selection electrodesSSE1 a and SSE2 a may be in contact with the isolation pattern 175. Inthis case, the isolation pattern 175 may include a dielectric material(e.g., a nitride material and/or an oxynitride material) having abarrier characteristic.

The first outer sidewall MS1 a of the metal pattern MP in the firststring selection electrode SSE1 a may laterally protrude more than thefirst outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua. Thefirst outer sidewall MS2 a of the metal pattern MP in the second stringselection electrode SSE2 a may laterally protrude more than the firstouter sidewall of the next uppermost insulating pattern 105 nUa. Themetal pattern MP in the first string selection electrode SSE1 a mayextend downwardly along the first outer sidewall of the next uppermostinsulating pattern 105 nUa, thereby being connected to the metal patternMP in the second string selection electrode SSE2 a located under thefirst string selection electrode SSE1 a. A connection MC between themetal patterns MP in the first and second string selection electrodesSSE1 a and SSE2 a may be interposed between the next uppermostinsulating pattern 105 nUa and the non sacrificial pattern 150 a′ in thecutting region. In addition, the barrier conductive patterns BP in thefirst and second string selection electrodes SSE1 a and SSE2 a may bedisposed between the connection MC and the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa, and between the connection MC and the non sacrificialpattern 150 a′ in the cutting region.

As illustrated in FIG. 18A, both sidewalls of the metal pattern MP ineach of the cell electrodes CEa may not be in contact with the barrierconductive pattern BP thereof. Similarly, both sidewalls of the metalpattern MP in each of the ground selection electrodes GSE1 a and GSE2 amay not be in contact with the barrier conductive pattern BP thereof.

The electrode-dielectric layer 170′ may include the tunneling dielectriclayer TDL, the charge storing layer SL, and a blocking dielectric layerBDL as described with the reference to FIG. 1D. The metal pattern MP mayinclude a tungsten layer, a copper layer, or an aluminum layer. Thebarrier conductive pattern BP may include a conductive metal nitridelayer (e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitride layer, atungsten nitride layer, or the like) and/or a transition metal layer(e.g., a titanium layer, a tantalum layer, or the like).

FIGS. 19A to 24A illustrate plan views of a method of fabricating athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a secondembodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 19B to 24B are crosssectional views taken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 19A to 24A,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, sacrificial layers 110, 110 nU, 110U andinsulating layers 105, 105 nU, 105U may be alternately and repeatedlystacked on a substrate 100. The uppermost insulating layer 105U, theuppermost sacrificial layer 110U, the next uppermost insulating layer105 nU, and the next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU may be patternedto form cutting regions 140.

A spacer layer 245 having a thickness Tda may be conformably formed onthe substrate having the cutting regions 140. The spacer layer 245 maybe formed of the same material layer as the spacer layer 145 of thefirst embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the spacer layer 245 may be etched usingan anisotropic etching technique, thereby forming sacrificial spacers245 a on inner sidewalls of the cutting regions 140. As illustrated inFIG. 20A, the sacrificial spacers 245 a respectively formed on bothinner sidewalls of each of the cutting regions 140 may be connected toeach other at an end portion of each cutting region 140. A nonsacrificial layer 150 filling the cutting regions 140 may be then formedon the substrate having the sacrificial spacers 245 a.

Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, the non sacrificial layer 150, theinsulating layers 105U, 105 nU, 105, and the sacrificial layers 110U,110 nU, 110 may be patterned to form sacrificial pads 110P constitutinga stepped structure. While the sacrificial pads 110P are formed, the endportions of the cutting regions 140 and connections of the end portionsof the sacrificial spacers 245 a may be removed to form sacrificialspacers 245 b on inner sidewalls of the cutting regions 140 andseparated from each other. After the sacrificial pads 110P are formed,the patterned non sacrificial layer 150′ may not cover the sacrificialpads 110P located at levels below the uppermost sacrificial layer 110U.

A plurality of holes 115 may be formed to penetrate the non sacrificiallayer 150′, the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU and 105, the sacrificiallayers 110U, 110 nU and 110, and the buffer dielectric layer 103. Aplurality of vertical active patterns 120 may be formed in the holes115, respectively. Further, a filling dielectric pattern and a landingpad 130 may be formed in each of the holes 115.

The holes 115 and the vertical active patterns 120 may be formed afterformation of the sacrificial pads 110P. However, the inventive conceptis not limited to the above descriptions. For example, the holes 115 andthe vertical active patterns 120 may be formed prior to formation of thesacrificial pads 110P or the cutting regions 140.

A capping dielectric layer 135′ may be formed on an entire surface ofthe substrate including the sacrificial pads 110P.

Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B, the capping dielectric layer 135′, thenon sacrificial layer 150′, the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU and 105,the sacrificial layers 110U, 110 nU and 110, and the buffer dielectriclayer 103 may be patterned to form trenches 155 defining a plurality ofmold patterns. Each of the mold patterns may include sacrificialpatterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua, insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa,105Ua, the cutting region 140, the sacrificial spacers 245 b, a nonsacrificial pattern 150 a′ and a capping dielectric pattern 135 a′.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa,110Ua exposed by the trenches 155 may be removed to form empty regions160, 160 nU, 160U. During formation of the empty regions 160, 160 nU,160U, the sacrificial spacers 245 b may be etched to form recessedregions 262. The sacrificial spacers 245 b may be completely removedduring formation of the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. Alternatively,portions of the sacrificial spacers 245 b at a level higher, e.g.,further from the substrate 1000 along a z-axis direction, than theuppermost empty regions 160U, may remain even after the empty regions160, 160 nU, 160U are formed.

Referring to FIGS. 24A and 24B, an electrode-dielectric layer 170 may beconformably formed on the substrate having the empty regions 160, 160nU, 160U and the recessed regions 262. In this case, the thickness Tda(see FIG. 20B) of the spacer layer 245 may be greater than twice thethickness of the electrode-dielectric layer 170. Thus, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 may be formed to a substantially uniformthickness on inner walls of the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U and therecessed regions 262. Further, portions of the recessed regions 162 maystill be empty even after the electrode-dielectric layer 170 is formed.

Subsequently, a conductive layer may be formed on the substrate havingthe electrode-dielectric layer 170. The conductive layer may fill theempty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U and the recessed regions 262. Theconductive layer may be etched to form electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1 in the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. Portions of the conductivelayer filling the recessed regions 262 may correspond to the connection200 illustrated in FIG. 16C. In addition, a lateral width of thesacrificial spacer 245 b may be greater than twice the thickness of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170, as mentioned above. Thus, the firstouter sidewalls of the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1and SSE2 may laterally protrude more than the first outer sidewalls ofthe uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua and the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa.

The connections of the sacrificial spacers (245 a of FIGS. 20A) may beremoved prior to formation of the recessed regions 262. In this case,the first string selection electrode SSE1 disposed at one side of thecutting region 140 may be completely separated from the first stringselection electrode SSE1 disposed at the other side of the cuttingregion 140.

After forming the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1, theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 formed on inner sidewalls of the trenches155 may be removed. Common source regions CS may be formed in thesubstrate 100 under the trenches 155. Subsequently, the isolationpatterns 175, the contact plugs 180 and the interconnections 190illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C may be formed on the substrate havingthe common source regions CS. As such, the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device illustrate in FIGS. 16A to 16C may berealized.

According to the fabrication methods described above, after forming thecutting regions 140 and the non sacrificial layer 150, the trenches 155and the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U may be formed. As such, theeffects described in the first embodiment may be obtained through thepresent embodiment. Further, the lateral width of the sacrificialspacers 245 b may be greater than twice the thickness of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170. Thus, the lateral widths of the firstand second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be increased,and the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 whichare stacked may be connected to each other. As a result, the electricalresistance of the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 andSSE2 may be significantly reduced, thereby realizing a high reliable andhighly integrated three dimensional semiconductor memory device.

FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment ofa method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

First, prior to formation of the vertical active patterns 120 describedwith reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, a first portion 165 a of anelectrode-dielectric layer may be formed on inner sidewalls of the holes115. Subsequently, the processes described with reference to FIGS. 22A,22B, 23A, and 23B may be performed. As a result, empty regions 160, 160nU and 160U illustrated in FIG. 25 may be formed. In this case, theempty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U may expose the first portion 165 alocated on the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 120. A secondportion 165 b of the electrode-dielectric layer may be then conformablyformed on the substrate having the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U andthe recessed regions 262. In an embodiment, the thickness of thesacrificial spacer 245 b may be greater than twice the thickness of thesecond portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectric layer. A conductivelayer may be then formed to fill the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U andthe recessed regions 262, and the conductive layer may be etched to formelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 filling the empty regions 160, 160nU, 160U. Subsequent processes may be the same as the previousembodiments described above. As such, the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device illustrated in FIG. 17 may be realized.

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view illustrating another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

First, prior to formation of the vertical active patterns 120 describedwith reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, an electrode-dielectric layer 170′may be formed on inner sidewalls of the holes 115. Subsequently, theprocesses described with reference to FIGS. 22A, 22B, 23A and 23B may beperformed. As a result, empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U exposing theelectrode-dielectric layer 170′ on the sidewalls of the vertical activepatterns 120 may be formed, as illustrated in FIG. 26. A conductivelayer may be then formed to fill the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U andthe recessed regions 262, and the conductive layer may be etched to formelectrodes filling the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. In this case,the electrode-dielectric layer 170′ may not be formed in the emptyregions 160, 160 nU, 160U and the recessed regions 262 after theelectrodes are formed.

In an embodiment, the conductive layer may include a barrier conductivelayer and a metal layer. For example, the barrier conductive layer maybe conformably formed on the substrate including the empty regions 160,160 nU, 160U exposing the electrode-dielectric layer 170′ and therecessed regions 262. Subsequently, the metal layer filing at least theempty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U may be formed on the barrier conductivelayer. The metal layer and the barrier conductive layer may be etched toform electrodes (GSE1 a, GSE2 a, CEa, SSE2 a, SSE1 a of FIGS. 18A and18B) in the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. The following processes maybe performed using the same manners as described in the previousembodiments. As such, the three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceillustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B may be realized.

Third Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the same elements as described in theprevious embodiments will be indicated by the same reference numerals orthe same reference designators. For the purpose of ease and conveniencein explanation, the descriptions to the same elements as in the previousembodiments will be omitted or mentioned briefly. That is, differencesbetween the present embodiment and the previous embodiments will bemainly described hereinafter.

FIG. 27A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 27B is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 27A.FIG. 27C is an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘F’ of FIG. 27B.

Referring to FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C, the first outer sidewalls S1 a′and S2 a′ of the first and second string selection electrodes SSE1 andSSE2 may laterally protrude more than the first outer sidewall of theuppermost insulating pattern 105Ua adjacent to the non sacrificialpattern 150 a. The first outer sidewall of the next uppermost insulatingpattern 105 nUa adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 150 a maylaterally protrude more than the first outer sidewall of the uppermostinsulating pattern 105Ua adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 150 a.The electrode-dielectric layer 170 between the vertical active patterns120 and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may extend to coverthe first outer sidewall S1 a′ of the first string selection electrodeSSE1. Similarly, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 between the verticalactive patterns 120 and the second string selection electrode SSE2 mayextend to cover the first outer sidewall S2 a′ of the second stringselection electrode SSE2. The electrode-dielectric layer 170 coveringthe first outer sidewall S1 a′ of the first string selection electrodeSSE1 may be separated from the electrode-dielectric layer 170 coveringthe first outer sidewall S2 a′ of the second string selection electrodeSSE2. In addition, the second string selection electrode SSE2 may beseparated from the first string selection electrode SSE1 stacked on thesecond string selection electrode SSE2.

A portion of the first string selection electrode SSE1 adjacent to thefirst outer sidewall S1 a′ may extend upwardly to cover the first outersidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua. That is, the firststring selection electrode SSE1 may extend onto the first outer sidewallof the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua.

A guide opening 300 may be defined between the adjacent uppermostinsulating patterns 105Ua in each mold pattern (or in each electrodestructure). The capping dielectric pattern 135 a may be disposed on theuppermost insulating patterns 105Ua. Each of the guide openings 300 mayextend upwardly to penetrate the capping dielectric pattern 135 a. Thenon sacrificial pattern 150 a may extend into the guide opening 300. Asillustrated in FIG. 27A, residual sacrificial patterns 345R may bedisposed at end portions of the guide openings 300, respectively. Theresidual sacrificial patterns 345R may be formed of the same material asthe residual sacrificial spacers 145 r described in the firstembodiment. The first string selection electrode SSE1 disposed at oneside of the guide opening 300 may be separated from the first stringselection electrode SSE1 disposed at the other side of the guide opening300 by the residual sacrificial pattern 345R.

According to the three dimensional semiconductor memory device describedabove, the first outer sidewalls S1 a′ and S2 a′ of the first and secondstring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may laterally protrude morethan the first outer sidewall of the uppermost insulating pattern 105Ua.As such, the electrical resistance of the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be significantly reduced, therebyrealizing a high reliable three dimensional semiconductor memory device.

Hereinafter, some modified embodiments of the third embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 28A illustrates a plan view of a modified embodiment of a threedimensional semiconductor memory device according to a third embodimentof the inventive concept. FIG. 28B is a cross sectional view taken alonga line I-I′ of FIG. 28A.

Referring to FIGS. 28A and 28B, end portions of guide openings 300 a maybe removed when viewed from a plan view of FIG. 28A. Thus, the residualsacrificial patterns 345R illustrated in FIG. 27A may be removed in thismodified embodiment. In this case, each of the guide openings 300 a maybe defined between the pair of adjacent uppermost insulating patterns105Ua in each mold pattern (or in each electrode structure). The cappingdielectric pattern 135 a′ may be disposed on the uppermost insulatingpatterns 105Ua and the non sacrificial patterns 150 a′.

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 27A toillustrate another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of theinventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 29, the electrode-dielectric layer 170 a between therespective vertical active patterns 120 and the respective electrodesGSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include a first portion 165 a and asecond portion 165 b. The second portion 165 b of theelectrode-dielectric layer 170 a between the respective vertical activepatterns 120 and the respective first string selection electrodes SSE1may extend to cover a bottom surface, a top surface and a first outersidewall of the respective first string selection electrodes SSE1.Similarly, the second portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectric layer170 a between the respective vertical active patterns 120 and therespective second string selection electrodes SSE2 may extend to cover abottom surface, a top surface, and a first outer sidewall of therespective second string selection electrodes SSE2.

FIG. 30A is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 27Ato illustrate still another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of theinventive concept, and FIG. 30B is an enlarged view illustrating aportion ‘G’ of FIG. 30A.

Referring to FIGS. 30A and 30B, each of the first and second stringselection electrodes SSE1 b and SSE2 b may include a metal pattern MP′and a barrier conductive pattern BP′. The metal pattern MP′ of the firststring selection electrode SSE1 b may have a first outer sidewall MS1 a′and a second outer sidewall MS1 b′ that face each other. The barrierconductive pattern BP′ of the second string selection electrode SSE2 bmay also have a first outer sidewall MS2 a′ and a second outer sidewallMS2 b′ that face each other. The first and second outer sidewalls MS2 a′and MS2 b′ of the metal pattern MP′ in the second string selectionelectrode SSE2 b may be vertically aligned with the first and secondouter sidewalls MS1 a′ and MS1 b′ of the metal pattern MP′ in the firststring selection electrode SSE1 b.

The barrier pattern BP′ in the first string selection electrode SSE1 bmay be in contact with a bottom surface, a top surface, and the firstouter sidewall MS1 a′ of the metal pattern MP′ in the first stringselection electrode SSE1 b. The second outer sidewall MS1 b′ of themetal pattern MP′ in the first string selection electrode SSE1 b may notbe in contact with the barrier conductive pattern BP′ in the firststring selection electrode SSE1 b. Similarly, the barrier pattern BP′ inthe second string selection electrode SSE2 b may be in contact with abottom surface, a top surface, and the first outer sidewall MS2 a′ ofthe metal pattern MP′ in the second string selection electrode SSE2 b.The second outer sidewall MS2 b′ of the metal pattern MP′ in the secondstring selection electrode SSE2 b may not be in contact with the barrierconductive pattern BP′ in the second string selection electrode SSE2 b.

The metal pattern MP′ in the first string selection electrode SSE1 b maybe separated from the metal pattern MP′ in the second string selectionelectrode SSE2 b. The barrier conductive pattern BP′ in the first stringselection electrode SSE1 b may also be separated from the barrierconductive pattern BP′ in the second string selection electrode SSE2 b.

The metal patterns MP′ of the string selection electrodes SSE1 b andSSE2 b may be formed of the same material as metal patterns MP of thecell electrodes CEa. Similarly, the barrier conductive patterns BP′ ofthe string selection electrodes SSE1 b and SSE2 b may be formed of thesame material as barrier conductive patterns BP of the cell electrodesCEa.

In the meantime, the non sacrificial pattern 150 a between the secondstring selection electrodes SSE2 in FIG. 27B may extend furtherdownwardly. As a result, the non sacrificial pattern 150 a may penetrateat least the uppermost cell electrode CE, as illustrated in FIG. 44 of afourth embodiment to be described hereinafter. In this case, each of theelectrode structures may include a plurality of uppermost cellelectrodes which are laterally separated from each other. The pluralityof uppermost cell electrodes may be located at a same level from a topsurface of the substrate 100. In this case, one outer sidewall of eachof the plurality of uppermost cell electrodes adjacent to the nonsacrificial pattern 150 a may be covered with an extension ofelectrode-dielectric layer 170. In an embodiment, the non sacrificialpattern 150 a may further extend downwardly to penetrate the nextuppermost cell electrode in addition to the uppermost cell electrode.

FIGS. 31A to 35A illustrate plan views of stages in a method offabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory device according toa third embodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 31B to 35B are crosssectional views taken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 31A to 35A,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 31A and 31B, the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU, 105and the sacrificial layers 110U, 110 nU, 110 may be patterned to formsacrificial pads 110P exhibiting a stepped structure. The cappingdielectric layer 135 may be formed on the substrate having thesacrificial pads 110P.

The capping dielectric layer 135 and the uppermost insulating layer 105Umay be patterned to form guide openings 300. The guide openings 300 mayexpose the uppermost sacrificial layer 110U. As illustrated in FIG. 31A,each of the guide openings 300 may have a groove shape extending in ay-axis direction.

The holes 115 and the vertical active patterns 120 may be formed afterformation of the sacrificial pads 110P. The holes 115 and the verticalactive patterns 120 may be formed prior to formation of the guideopenings 300.

A spacer layer 345 may be conformably formed on the substrate includingthe guide openings 300. The spacer layer 345 may be formed of the samematerial as the spacer layer 145 of the first embodiment describedabove.

Referring to FIGS. 32A and 32B, the spacer layer 345 and the uppermostsacrificial layer 110U may be etched using a blanket anisotropic etchingtechnique, thereby forming cutting regions 340. As a result, a pair ofsacrificial spacers 345 a may be formed on both inner sidewalls of eachof the guide openings 300. Each of the cutting regions 340 may be formedunder a region between the pair of adjacent sacrificial spacers 345 a ineach of the guide openings 300. While the uppermost sacrificial layer110U is etched, portions of the spacer layer 345 on the inner sidewallsof the guide openings 300 may be etched. As such, upper ends of thesacrificial spacers 345 a may be located at a lower level than a topsurface of the capping dielectric layer 135. The cutting regions 340 maycut the uppermost sacrificial layer 110U.

As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the pair of sacrificial spacers 345 a ineach of the guide openings 300 may be connected to each other at an endportion of the guide opening 300. In the event that the sacrificialspacers 345 a are formed after formation of the sacrificial pads 110F,the connections of the sacrificial spacers 345 a may be formed in thecapping dielectric layer 135 on any one of the sacrificial pads 110Pwhich will be replaced with electrode pads of the cell electrodes andthe ground selection electrodes in a subsequent process.

Referring to FIGS. 33A and 33B, the next uppermost insulating layer 105nU and the next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU under the cuttingregions 340 may be successively etched using the sacrificial spacers 345a as etching masks, thereby forming cutting regions 340 a. The cuttingregions 340 a may be formed to cut the uppermost sacrificial layer 110Uand the next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU. In an embodiment, whilethe next uppermost sacrificial layer 110 nU is etched, portions of thesacrificial spacers 345 a may also be etched to form recessedsacrificial spacers 345 a′. Thus, the recessed sacrificial spacers 345a′ may become lower than the sacrificial spacers 345 a. The recessedsacrificial spacers 345 a′ may be referred to as etched sacrificialspacers hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 34A and 34B, a non sacrificial layer filling thecutting regions 340 a and the guide openings 300 may be formed on thesubstrate. The non sacrificial layer, the capping dielectric layer 135,the insulating layers 105U, 105 nU, 105, the sacrificial layers 110U,110 nU, 110, and the buffer dielectric layer103 may be patterned to formtrenches 155 defining a plurality of mold patterns. As a result, each ofthe mold patterns may include insulating patterns 105 a, 105 nUa, 105Ua,sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua, a capping dielectric pattern135 a, a non sacrificial pattern 150 a, and a buffer dielectric pattern103 a which are stacked.

In each of the mold patterns, the non sacrificial pattern 150 a may bein contact with the uppermost sacrificial patterns 110Ua and the nextuppermost sacrificial patterns 110 nUa which constitute both innersidewalls of the cutting region 340 a.

Referring to FIGS. 35A and 35B, the sacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa,110Ua may be removed to form empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. While thesacrificial patterns 110 a, 110 nUa, 110Ua are removed, the etchedsacrificial spacers 345 a′ may also be removed. In this case, theconnections 345R of the sacrificial spacers 345 a′ located at the endportions of the guide openings 300 may be left, as illustrated in FIG.35A. The connections 345R may be referred to as residual sacrificialpatterns 345R. In each of the mold patterns, the residual sacrificialpattern 345R may separate a first region where the sacrificial spacer345 a′ on one inner sidewall of the guide opening 300 is removed from asecond region where the sacrificial spacer 345 a′ on the other innersidewall of the guide opening 300 is removed.

Subsequently, an electrode-dielectric layer 170 may be conformablyformed on the substrate having the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U, anda conductive layer filling the empty regions160, 160 nU, 160U may beformed on the electrode-dielectric layer 170. The conductive layer maybe etched to form the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 illustratedin FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C. The following processes may be performedusing the same manners as described in the previous embodiments. Assuch, the three dimensional semiconductor memory device illustrated inFIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C may be realized.

According to the fabrication method described above, the cutting regions345 a and the non sacrificial layer 150 may be formed prior to formationof the trenches 155. Thus, the first outer sidewalls S1 a′ and S2 a′ ofthe string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be protected from anetching process. That is, physical loss of the string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2 due to an etching process may be minimized toprevent the electrical resistance of the string selection electrodesSSE1 and SSE2 from increasing.

Moreover, the cutting regions 340 a may be formed using the sacrificialspacers 345 a in the guide openings 300 as etching masks, therebyincreasing lateral widths of the uppermost empty regions 160U and thenext uppermost empty regions 160 nU. As such, widths of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may increase to reduce the electricalresistance of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2. As aresult, a high reliable and highly integrated three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device may be realized.

According to the fabrication method described above, the guide openings300 may be formed after formation of the sacrificial pads 110P.Alternatively, the sacrificial pads 110P may be formed after formationof the guide openings 300. This modified embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 36 and 37 hereinafter.

FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate plan views of a modified embodiment of athree dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a thirdembodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 36, prior to formation of the sacrificial pads 110P,the uppermost insulating layer 105U may be patterned to form the guideopenings 300. Subsequently, the processes described with reference toFIGS. 31A to 33A and FIGS. 31B to 33B may be performed. As such, thesacrificial spacers 345 a′ may be formed on the inner sidewalls of theguide openings 300, and each of the cutting regions 340 may be formedunder a region between the pair of adjacent sacrificial spacers 345 a ineach of the guide openings 300.

Referring to FIG. 37, the non sacrificial layer filling the cuttingregions 340 a may be formed on the substrate. The non sacrificial layer,the insulating layers, and the sacrificial layers may be patterned toform sacrificial pads 110P exhibiting a stepped structure. Duringformation of the sacrificial pads 110P, end portions of the guideopenings 300 and connections of the sacrificial spacers 345 a′ may besimultaneously removed to form sacrificial spacers 345 b on innersidewalls of the guide openings 300 and separated from each other. Thefollowing processes may be performed using the same manners as describedwith reference to FIGS. 34A and 34B and FIGS. 35A and 35B. As such, thethree dimensional semiconductor memory device illustrated in FIGS. 28Aand 28B may be realized.

FIG. 38 illustrates a cross sectional view of another modifiedembodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory device accordingto a third embodiment of the inventive concept.

First, prior to formation of the vertical active patterns 120 describedwith reference to FIGS. 31A and 31B, a first portion 165 a of anelectrode-dielectric layer may be formed on inner sidewalls of the holes115. As such, empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U exposing the first portion165 a of the electrode-dielectric layer may be formed, as illustrated inFIG. 38. A second portion 165 b of the electrode-dielectric layer may beconformably formed on the substrate having the empty regions 160, 160nU, 160U. Electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 filling the emptyregions 160, 160 nU, 160U may be then formed. As such, the threedimensional semiconductor memory device illustrated in FIG. 29 may berealized.

In the meantime, an entire portion of an electrode-dielectric layer 170′may be formed on the inner sidewalls of the holes 115 prior to formationof the vertical active patterns 120. In this case, the empty regions160, 160 nU, 160U may expose the electrode-dielectric layer 170′ locatedon the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 120. A conductive layermay be then formed to fill the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U exposingthe electrode-dielectric layer 170′, and the conductive layer may beetched to form electrodes in the empty regions 160, 160 nU, 160U. In anembodiment, the conductive layer may be formed to include a barrierconductive layer and a metal layer. In this case, the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device illustrated in FIGS. 30A and 30B may berealized.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 39A illustrates a plan view of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 39B is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 39A.FIG. 39C is a cross sectional view taken along a line II-II′ of FIG.39A. Further, FIG. 39D is an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘K1’of FIG. 39B and FIG. 39E is an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘K2’of FIG. 39B.

Referring to FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 39C, a plurality of electrodestructures may be disposed on the semiconductor substrate 100(hereinafter, referred to as a substrate). Each of the electrodestructures may include a plurality of electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1 and a plurality of insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua thatare alternately and repeatedly stacked. The electrode structures mayextend in parallel in a first direction, e.g., a y-axis direction, asillustrated in FIG. 39A. Further, the electrode structures may be spacedapart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection, e.g., an x-axis direction. Isolation patterns 575 may bedisposed between the electrode structures. That is, two of the isolationpatterns 575 may be disposed at both sides of each of the electrodestructures, respectively. The isolation patterns 575 may also extend inparallel in the first direction when viewed from a plan view. Theisolation patterns 575 may include an oxide layer, a nitride layer,and/or an oxynitride layer.

The electrodes in each electrode structure may include a plurality ofcell electrodes CE that are sequentially stacked. Moreover, theelectrodes in each electrode structure may include at least one floor ofground selection electrode GSE1 and/or GSE2 disposed between thesubstrate 100 and the lowermost cell electrode of the cell electrodesCE. In an embodiment, the first ground selection electrode GSE1 may bedisposed between the substrate 100 and the lowermost cell electrode CE,and the second ground selection electrode GSE2 may be disposed betweenthe lowermost cell electrode CE and the first ground selection electrodeGSE1. However, the inventive concept is not limited to the abovedescriptions. For example, a single floor of ground selection electrode,three floors of ground selection electrodes, or more than three floorsof ground selection electrodes may be disposed between the lowermostcell electrode and the substrate 100. In each of the electrodestructures, the number of the first ground selection electrode GSE1 maybe one, and the number of the second ground selection electrode GSE2 mayalso be one. Similarly, in each of the electrode structures, the numberof the cell electrode CE disposed in each of floors may be one. Forexample, in each of the electrode structures, the number of thelowermost cell electrode may be one, and the number of an uppermost cellelectrode among the cell electrodes CE may also be one.

The electrodes in each electrode structure may further include aplurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1. The plurality offirst string selection electrodes SSE1 may be disposed at a same level,e.g., along a z-axis direction, from a top surface of the substrate 100.That is, the plurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 may bedisposed in a same floor. Thus, the plurality of first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may be horizontally spaced apart from each other, e.g.,along an x-axis direction. The plurality of first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may extend in parallel in the first direction. Theplurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1 may be controlledindependently of each other.

In each electrode structure, the plurality of first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may be disposed over the uppermost cell electrode. Thus,in each electrode structure, the plurality of first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may be disposed over a single first ground selectionelectrode GSE1. The cell electrodes CE sequentially stacked may bedisposed between the plurality of first string selection electrodes SSE1and the first ground selection electrode GSE1.

Each of the electrode structures may include at least one floor ofstring selection electrodes. That is, each of the electrode structuresmay include a single floor of first string selection electrodes orplural floors of string selection electrodes. The plural floors ofstring selection electrodes may be sequentially stacked and verticallyseparated from each other. For example, second string selectionelectrodes SSE2 may be disposed between the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and the uppermost cell electrode CE. The second stringselection electrodes SSE2 under the first string selection electrodesSSE1 may be disposed at a same level from the top surface of thesubstrate 100. That is, the second string selection electrodes SSE2 maybe horizontally spaced apart from each other. The second stringselection electrodes SSE2 may also be controlled independently from eachother.

The first ground selection electrode GSE1 may correspond to a lowermostelectrode among the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked ineach electrode structure. The first string selection electrodes SSE1 maycorrespond to uppermost electrodes among the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each electrode structure. The second stringselection electrodes SSE2 may correspond to next uppermost electrodesamong the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in eachelectrode structure.

The insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua in each electrodestructure may include uppermost insulating patterns 505Ua stacked on thefirst string selection electrodes SSE1, next uppermost insulatingpatterns 505 nUa disposed between the first string selection electrodesSSE1 and the second string selection electrodes SSE2, and insulatingpatterns 505 a isolating the cell electrode CE and the ground stringselection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2 from each other.

In each electrode structure, the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua maybe plural in number and may be disposed on the plurality of first stringselection electrode SSE1, respectively. The plurality of uppermostinsulating patterns 505Ua may be disposed at a same level from a topsurface of the substrate 100 and horizontally spaced apart from eachother. Further, the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa may beplural in number and may be disposed between the respective first stringselection electrodes SSE1 and the respective second string selectionelectrodes SSE2. The plurality of next uppermost insulating patterns 505nUa may be disposed at a same level from a top surface of the substrate100 and may also be horizontally spaced apart from each other.

In each electrode structure, a cutting region 540 may be defined andprovided between the uppermost insulating patterns 505Ua. The cuttingregion 540 may extend downwardly between the adjacent first stringselection electrodes SSE1, between the adjacent next uppermostinsulating patterns 505 nUa, and between the adjacent second stringselection electrodes SSE2. The cutting region 540 may have a grooveshape extending in the first direction when viewed from a plan view. Nonsacrificial patterns 550 a may be disposed in the cutting regions 540,respectively. In an embodiment, each of the non sacrificial patterns 550a may be in contact with first outer sidewalls of the uppermostinsulating patterns 505Ua and the next uppermost insulating patterns 505nUa, which constitute both inner sidewalls of the cutting region 540 a,in each electrode structure.

According to an embodiment, the respective first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may be disposed in the respective uppermost emptyregions 560U which is surrounded by the uppermost insulating pattern505Ua, the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa, and the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a. The respective second string selectionelectrode SSE2 may be disposed in the respective next uppermost emptyregions 560 nU which is surrounded by the next uppermost insulatingpattern 505 nUa, the insulating pattern 505 a directly under the nextuppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa, and the non sacrificial pattern550 a. First side openings of the uppermost empty regions 560U and thenext uppermost empty regions 560 nU may be closed by the non sacrificialpattern 550 a. The cell electrodes CE and the ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 and GSE2 may be respectively disposed in the emptyregions 560 provided between the insulating patterns 505 a under thenext uppermost insulating patterns 505 nUa.

Each of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include aconductive material. For example, each of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1 may include at least one of a doped semiconductor layer(e.g., a doped silicon layer), a metal layer (e.g., a tungsten layer, acopper layer or an aluminum layer), a conductive metal nitride layer(e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitride layer or a tungstennitride layer), a conductive metal-semiconductor compound layer (e.g., ametal silicide layer) and a transition metal layer (e.g., a titaniumlayer or a tantalum layer). Each of the insulating patterns 505 a, 505nUa, 505Ua may include an oxide material such as a high density plasma(HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer. The nonsacrificial pattern 550 a may include an insulating material. The HTOlayer may be an oxide material which is formed at a process temperaturehigher than about 600° C. For example, the non sacrificial pattern 550 amay include an oxide material and/or an undoped semiconductor material(e.g., an undoped silicon layer).

In an embodiment, a buffer dielectric pattern 503 a may be disposedbetween the first ground selection electrode GSE1 and the substrate 100in each electrode structure. The buffer dielectric pattern 503 a may bethinner than the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua. The bufferdielectric pattern 503 a may include an oxide material.

A plurality of vertical active patterns 520 may vertically penetrateeach of the electrode structures. Each of the vertical active patterns520 may successively penetrate one of the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and the electrodes SSE2, CE, GSE2, GSE1 under the firststring selection electrodes SSE1. Each of the vertical active patterns520 may further penetrate the buffer dielectric pattern 503 a. Each ofthe vertical active patterns 520 may have may have a hollow cylindershape. An inner space surrounded by the vertical active pattern 520 maybe filled with a filling dielectric pattern 525. A landing pad 530 maybe disposed on the respective vertical active patterns 520 and thefilling dielectric pattern 525 in the respective vertical activepatterns 520. The landing pad 530 may be in contact with the verticalactive pattern 520.

The vertical active patterns 520 may contact the substrate 100. Thesubstrate 100 may be doped with dopants of a first conductivity type.For example, the substrate 100 may include a well region of the firstconductivity type. The vertical active patterns 520 may contact the wellregion formed in the substrate 100. The vertical active patterns 520 mayinclude the same semiconductor material as the substrate 100. Forexample, when the substrate 100 is a silicon substrate, the verticalactive patterns 520 may include silicon. The vertical active patterns520 may have a single crystalline state or a polycrystalline state. Thevertical active patterns 520 may be doped with dopants of the firstconductivity type or may be undoped. The landing pads 530 may includethe same semiconductor material as the vertical active patterns 520.Drain regions may be formed in the landing pads 530, respectively. Thedrain regions may have a second conductivity type opposite to the firstconductivity type. The filling dielectric patterns 525 may include anoxide layer, a nitride layer, and/or an oxynitride layer.

The plurality of vertical active patterns 520 may successively penetrateeach of the first string selection electrodes SSE1 as well as theelectrodes SSE2, CE, GSE2 and GSE1 below the first string selectionelectrode SSE1. In a plan view, the plurality of vertical activepatterns 520 penetrating each of the first string selection electrodesSSE1 may be arrayed zigzag in the first direction. However, theinventive concept is not limited to the above descriptions. For example,the plurality of vertical active patterns 520 penetrating each firststring selection electrode SSE1 may be arrayed in the first direction toconstitute a single column when viewed from a plan view.

An electrode-dielectric layer 570 may be disposed between a sidewall ofthe respective vertical active patterns 520 and the respectiveelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, or SSE1. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 may extend to cover topand bottom surfaces of the respective electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,or SSE1. In this case, at least a portion of the electrode-dielectriclayer 570 between the vertical active pattern 520 and the first stringselection electrode SSE1 may further extend to cover the top surface,the bottom surface and an outer sidewall of the first string selectionelectrode SSE1. In an embodiment, all the electrode-dielectric layers570 between the vertical active patterns 520 and the electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may extend to cover the top surfaces and the bottomsurfaces of all the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1, asillustrated in FIG. 39B.

The string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 39D in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 39B and 39D, each of the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1 may include a first outer sidewall 10 a and a secondouter sidewall 10 b that face each other. In this case, theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 between the vertical active pattern 520and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may extend to cover abottom surface, a top surface, and the first outer sidewall 10 a of thefirst string selection electrode SSE1. The extension of theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 between the vertical active pattern 520and the first string selection electrode SSE1 may be referred to as afirst extension hereinafter. The first extension may be in contact withthe bottom surface, the top surface and the first outer sidewall 10 a ofthe first string selection electrode SSE1. The first extension mayinclude first plate portions covering the top and bottom surfaces of thefirst string selection electrode SSE1 and a first wall portion coveringthe first outer sidewall 10 a of the first string selection electrodeSSE1. The first wall portion may include a first sidewall 31 adjacent tothe non sacrificial pattern 550 a and a second sidewall adjacent to thefirst outer sidewall 10 a. In an embodiment, the first sidewall 31 ofthe first wall portion may be in contact with the non sacrificialpattern 550 a.

The first extension may not cover the second outer sidewall 10 b of thefirst string selection electrodes SSE1. In an embodiment, the firstouter sidewall 10 a of the first string selection electrode SSE1 may beadjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 550 a, and the second outersidewall 10 b of the first string selection electrode SSE1 may be incontact with the isolation pattern 575. The first string selectionelectrode SSE1 may include a plurality of inner sidewalls 10 n adjacentto the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 520. The innersidewalls 10 n of the first string selection electrode SSE1 may have ahole shape surrounding the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns520.

Each of the uppermost insulating patterns 505Ua may include a firstouter sidewall 15 a and a second outer sidewall 15 b that face eachother. The first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermost insulating pattern505Ua may be in contact with the non sacrificial pattern 550 a. Thesecond outer sidewall 15 b of the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua maybe in contact with the isolation pattern 575. The first outer sidewall15 a of the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua may be vertically alignedwith the first sidewall 31 of the first wall portion covering the firstouter sidewall 10 a of the first string selection electrodes SSE1. In anembodiment, the first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermost insulatingpatterns 505Ua may be vertically coplanar with the first sidewall 31 ofthe first wall portion.

Similarly, each of the second string selection electrodes SSE2 mayinclude a first outer sidewall 20 a and a second outer sidewall 20 bthat face each other. The first outer sidewall 20 a of the second stringselection electrode SSE2 may be adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern550 a, and the second outer sidewall 20 b of the second string selectionelectrode SSE2 may be in contact with the isolation pattern 575. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 between the vertical active pattern 520and the second string selection electrode SSE2 may extend to cover abottom surface, a top surface, and the first outer sidewall 20 a of thesecond string selection electrode SSE2. The extension of theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 between the vertical active pattern 520and the second string selection electrode SSE2 may be referred to as asecond extension hereinafter.

The second extension may be in contact with the bottom surface, the topsurface and the first outer sidewall 20 a of the second string selectionelectrode SSE2. The second extension may include second plate portionscovering the top and bottom surfaces of the second string selectionelectrode SSE2 and a second wall portion covering the first outersidewall 20 a of the second string selection electrode SSE1. The secondwall portion of the second extension may include a first sidewall 32adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 550 a and a second sidewalladjacent to the first outer sidewall 20 a of the second string selectionelectrode SSE2. In an embodiment, the first sidewall 32 of the secondwall portion may be in contact with the non sacrificial pattern 550 a.The second outer sidewall 20 b of the second string selection electrodeSSE2 may not be covered with the second extension. The second outersidewall 20 b of the second string selection electrode SSE2 may be incontact with the isolation pattern 575. The second string selectionelectrode SSE2 may also include a plurality of inner sidewalls 20 nadjacent to the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 520. The innersidewalls 20 n of the second string selection electrode SSE2 may have ahole shape surrounding the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns520.

Each of the next uppermost insulating patterns 505 nUa may also includea first outer sidewall 25 a contacting the non sacrificial pattern 550 aand a second outer sidewall 25 b adjacent to the isolation pattern 575.The first outer sidewall 25 a of the next uppermost insulating pattern505 nUa may be vertically aligned with the first sidewall 32 of thesecond wall portion. The first sidewall 32 of the second wall portionmay be vertically and substantially coplanar with the first outersidewall 25 a of the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa.

In an embodiment, the first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermostinsulating pattern 505Ua may be vertically and substantially coplanarwith the first sidewall 31 of the first wall portion, the first outersidewall 25 a of the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa, and thefirst sidewall 32 of the second wall portion.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 39B, each of the cell electrodes CE mayinclude a first outer sidewall 40 a and a second outer sidewall 40 bthat face each other, and each of the ground selection electrodes GSE1and GSE2 may also include a first outer sidewall 45 a and a second outersidewall 45 b that face each other. Unlike the string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2, the first and second outer sidewalls 40 a and40 b of the respective cell electrodes CE may be in contact with theisolation patterns 575 disposed at both sides of the electrodestructure, respectively. Further, the first and second outer sidewalls45 a and 45 b of each of the ground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2may be in contact with the isolation patterns 575 disposed at both sidesof the electrode structure, respectively. Each of the cell electrodes CEmay include a plurality of inner sidewalls surrounding the sidewalls ofthe vertical active patterns 520 that penetrate the first stringselection electrodes SSE1 in each electrode structure. Moreover, each ofthe ground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2 may also include aplurality of inner sidewalls surrounding the sidewalls of the verticalactive patterns 520 that penetrate the first string selection electrodesSSE1 in each electrode structure.

The electrode-dielectric layer 570 will be described hereinafter withreference to FIG. 39E in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 39B and 39E, each of the electrode-dielectric layers570 may include a tunneling dielectric layer TDL, a charge storing layerSL, and a blocking dielectric layer BDL. The tunneling dielectric layerTDL may be adjacent the vertical active patterns 520. The blockingdielectric layer BDL may be adjacent to the respective electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. In addition, the charge storing layer SL may bedisposed between the tunneling dielectric layer TDL and the blockingdielectric layer BDL. The tunneling dielectric layer TDL may include anoxide layer and/or an oxynitride layer. The charge storing layer SL mayinclude a dielectric layer having traps capable of storing charges. Forexample, the charge storing layer SL may include a nitride layer and/ora metal oxide layer (e.g., a hafnium oxide layer). The blockingdielectric layer BDL may include a high-k dielectric layer having adielectric constant which is higher than that of the tunnelingdielectric layer TDL. In an embodiment, the high-k dielectric layer mayinclude a metal oxide layer such as a hafnium oxide layer and/or analuminum oxide layer. Moreover, the blocking dielectric layer BDL mayfurther include a barrier dielectric layer (e.g., an oxide layer) havingan energy band gap which is greater than that of the high-k dielectriclayer. The barrier dielectric layer may be disposed between the high-kdielectric layer and the charge storing layer SL.

In an embodiment, the extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 570covering the top and bottom surfaces of each of the electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include extensions of the tunneling dielectriclayers TDL, the charge storing layers SL, and the blocking dielectriclayers BDL, as illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 39E. In addition, each of thefirst and second wall portions covering the first outer sidewalls 10 aand 20 a of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may alsoinclude the extensions of the tunneling dielectric layers TDL, thecharge storing layers SL, and the blocking dielectric layers BDL.

Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 39C, common sourceregions CS may be disposed in the substrate 100 between the electrodestructures. The common source regions CS may be formed in a well regionof the substrate 100. The common source regions CS may be doped withdopants of the second conductivity type. That is, the common sourceregions CS may be doped with dopants having a different conductivitytype from the well region. The isolation patterns 575 may be disposed onthe common source regions CS, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 39A and 39C, each of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 stacked in each of the electrode structures may includean electrode pad EP at an edge thereof. The electrode pads EP of theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 in each of the electrodestructures may constitute a stepped structure. The electrode pads EP ofthe electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1 in each of the electrodestructures may exhibit a configuration stepped down in the firstdirection (e.g., a positive y-axis direction). Electrical signals, e.g.,operation voltages, may be applied to the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1 through the electrode pads EP. For example, electricalsignals may be applied to the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1through conductive plugs (not shown) contacting the electrode pads EP.

Each of the vertical active patterns 520 and the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 adjacent thereto may constitute a single vertical cellstring. That is, the vertical cell string may include a plurality ofcell transistors serially connected to each other. Moreover, thevertical cell string may further include at least one ground selectiontransistor and at least one string selection transistor. The at leastone ground selection transistor may be serially connected to one end ofthe cell transistors serially connected and the at least one stringselection transistor may be serially connected to the other end of thecell transistors serially connected. That is, the at least one groundselection transistor may be serially connected to the lowermost celltransistor and the at least one string selection transistor may beserially connected to the uppermost cell transistor. In the event thatthe at least one ground selection transistor includes a plurality ofground selection transistors, the plurality of ground selectiontransistors in the vertical cell string may be serially connected toeach other. Similarly, in the event that the at least one stringselection transistor includes a plurality of string selectiontransistors, the plurality of string selection transistors in thevertical cell string may be serially connected to each other.

The cell transistors may be defined at intersections of the verticalactive patterns 520 and the cell electrodes CE, respectively. Further,the ground selection transistors may be defined at intersections of thevertical active patterns 520 and the ground section electrodes GSE1 andGSE2, respectively. Similarly, the string selection transistors may bedefined at intersections of the vertical active patterns 520 and thestring section electrodes SSE1 and SSE2, respectively. Theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 between the cell electrodes CE and thevertical active patterns 520 may correspond to a data storage layer ofthe cell transistors. The electrode-dielectric layer 570 between thestring selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 and the vertical activepatterns 520 may correspond to a gate dielectric layer of the stringselection transistors, and the electrode-dielectric layer 570 betweenthe ground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2 and the vertical activepatterns 520 may correspond to a gate dielectric layer of the groundselection transistors. The ground selection transistors, the celltransistors, and the string selection transistors in each of thevertical cell strings may be sequentially stacked. Therefore, the groundselection transistors, the cell transistors and the string selectiontransistors in each of the vertical cell strings may include verticalchannel regions defined at the sidewall of the respective verticalactive patterns 520. During operation of the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device, inversion layers may be generated atportions of the sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 520 adjacentto the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua. This may be due to thefringe field of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. The inversionlayers may act as source/drain regions of the cell transistors, thestring selection transistors and the ground selection transistors.

Referring again to FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 39C, capping dielectric patterns535 a may be disposed on the uppermost insulating patterns 505Ua.Further, each of the capping dielectric patterns 535 a may extend tocover the electrode pads EP in each electrode structure. Both outersidewalls of each of the capping dielectric patterns 535 a may be incontact with the pair of isolation patterns 575 disposed at both sidesof the electrode structure, respectively. The cutting regions 540 mayextend upwardly to penetrate the capping dielectric patterns 535 a. Asillustrated in FIG. 39A, the electrode pads EP of the first stringselection electrodes SSE1 in each electrode structure may be disposed atboth sides of the cutting region 540 to be spaced apart from each other,when viewed from a plan view. In addition, the electrode pads EP of thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2 in each electrode structure maybe disposed at both sides of the cutting region 540 to be spaced apartfrom each other, when viewed from a plan view. End portions of thecutting regions 540 may overlap with the electrode pads EP of the cellelectrodes CE or the electrode pads EP of the ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 and GSE2. The non sacrificial patterns 550 a may alsoextend upwardly to fill the cutting regions 540. Top surfaces of the nonsacrificial patterns 550 a may be substantially coplanar with topsurfaces of the capping dielectric patterns 535 a. The cappingdielectric patterns 535 a may include an oxide layer such as a highdensity plasma (HDP) oxide layer, and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO)layer.

A plurality of interconnections 590 may be disposed on the cappingdielectric patterns 535 a. The interconnections 590 may extend inparallel in the second direction. Each of the interconnections 590 maybe electrically connected to the upper portions of the vertical activepatterns 520 arrayed in the second direction to constitute a single row.The interconnections 590 may be electrically connected to the upperportions of the vertical active patterns 520 through contact plugs 580penetrating the capping dielectric patterns 535 a and/or landing pads530. The interconnections 590 may be electrically connected to the drainregions formed in at least the landing pads 530. In an embodiment, theinterconnections 590 may correspond to bit lines. Each of theinterconnections 190 may include at least one of a metal layer (e.g., atungsten layer, a copper layer or an aluminum layer), a conductive metalnitride layer (e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitride layeror a tungsten nitride layer), and a transition metal layer (e.g., atitanium layer or a tantalum layer). Each of the contact plugs 580 mayalso include at least one of a metal layer (e.g., a tungsten layer, acopper layer or an aluminum layer), a conductive metal nitride layer(e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitride layer or a tungstennitride layer), and a transition metal layer (e.g., a titanium layer ora tantalum layer).

According to the three dimensional semiconductor memory device as setforth above, the first outer sidewalls 10 a and 20 a of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may be covered with theelectrode-dielectric layer 570. As such, the first outer sidewalls 10 aand 20 a of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may beprotected from an etching process. Thus, a high reliable and highlyintegrated three dimensional semiconductor memory device may berealized.

Hereinafter, modified embodiments of the three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to the fourth embodiment of the inventiveconcept will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 40A is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 39Ato illustrate a modified embodiment of a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 40B is an enlarged view illustrating a portion ‘K3’ of FIG. 40A.

Referring to FIGS. 40A and 40B, an electrode-dielectric layer 570 abetween the vertical active patterns 520 and the electrodes GSE1, GSE2,CE, SSE2, SSE1 may include a first portion 565 a and a second portion565 b. The first portion 565 a of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 amay extend vertically between sidewalls of the vertical active patterns520 and the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua. The secondportion 565 b of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 a may extendhorizontally to cover top and bottom surfaces of the electrodes GSE1,GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. As illustrated in FIG. 40B, the second portion 565b of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 a between the sidewall of thevertical active pattern 520 and an inner sidewall 10 n of the firststring selection electrodes SSE1 may extend to cover a top surface, abottom surface and a first outer sidewall 10 a of the first stringselection electrodes SSE1. A portion of the extension of the secondportion 565 b covering the first outer sidewall 10 a of the first stringselection electrodes SSE1 may have a sidewall 31 a which is verticallyaligned with a first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermost insulatingpattern 505Ua. The sidewall 31 a may be substantially and verticallycoplanar with the first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermost insulatingpattern 505Ua.

The second portion 565 b of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 a betweenthe sidewall of the vertical active pattern 520 and an inner sidewall 20n of the second string selection electrode SSE2 may extend to cover atop surface, a bottom surface and a first outer sidewall 20 a of thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2. A portion of the extension ofthe second portion 565 b covering the first outer sidewall 20 a of thesecond string selection electrodes SSE2 may have a sidewall 32 avertically aligned with a first outer sidewall 25 a of the nextuppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa. The sidewall 32 a may besubstantially and vertically coplanar with the first outer sidewall 25 aof the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa.

The first portion 565 a of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 a mayinclude at least a portion of the tunneling dielectric layer TDLdescribed with reference to FIG. 39E. The second portion 565 b of theelectrode-dielectric layer 570 a may include at least a portion of theblocking dielectric layer BDL described with reference to FIG. 39E. Inthis case, any one of the first and second portions 565 a and 565 b mayinclude the charge storing layer SL described with reference to FIG.39E. For example, the first portion 565 a may include the tunnelingdielectric layer TDL, the charge storing layer SL, and a barrierdielectric layer of the blocking dielectric layer BDL, and the secondportion 565 b may include a high-k dielectric layer of the blockingdielectric layer BDL.

FIG. 41A is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 39Ato illustrate another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of theinventive concept. FIG. 41B is an enlarged view illustrating a portion‘K4’ of FIG. 41A.

Referring to FIGS. 41A and 41B, an entire portion of anelectrode-dielectric layer 570′ between the sidewall of the verticalactive pattern 520 and electrodes GSE1 k, GSE2 k, CEk, SSE2 k, SSE1 kmay extend vertically between the sidewall of the vertical activepattern 520 and the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua. In thiscase, each of the electrodes GSE1 k, GSE2 k, CEk, SSE2 k, SSE1 k mayinclude a metal pattern 80, 80 nU, or 80U and a barrier conductivepattern 85, 85 nU, or 85U.

In each of the electrodes GSE1 k, GSE2 k, CEk, SSE2 k, SSE1 k, thebarrier conductive pattern 85, 85 nU or 85U may be in contact with a topsurface and a bottom surface of the metal pattern 80, 80 nU or 80U.Hereinafter, the metal pattern 80U and the barrier conductive pattern85U in the first string selection electrode SSE1 k may be referred to asan uppermost metal pattern and an uppermost barrier conductive pattern,respectively. As disclosed in FIG. 41B, the uppermost metal pattern 80Umay include a first outer sidewall 50 a and a second outer sidewall 50 bthat face each other. The first and second outer sidewalls 50 a and 50 bof the uppermost metal pattern 80U may be adjacent to the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a and the isolation pattern 575, respectively.The uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85U may be in contact with thefirst outer sidewall 50 a of the uppermost metal pattern 80U. A portionof the uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85U contacting the firstouter sidewall 50 a of the uppermost metal pattern 80U may include afirst sidewall 55 adjacent to the non sacrificial pattern 550 a and asecond sidewall contacting the first outer sidewall 50 a of theuppermost metal pattern 80U. The first sidewall 55 of the uppermostbarrier conductive pattern 85U may be vertically aligned with the firstouter sidewall 15 a of the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua. The firstsidewall 55 of the uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85U may bevertically and substantially coplanar with the first outer sidewall 15 aof the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua. The second outer sidewall 50b of the uppermost metal pattern 80U may not be covered with theuppermost barrier conductive pattern 85U. The second outer sidewall 50 bof the uppermost metal pattern 80U may be in contact with the isolationpattern 575. The uppermost metal pattern 80U may include an innersidewall 50 n having a hole shape that surrounds the sidewall of thevertical active pattern 520. The uppermost barrier conductive pattern85U may be in contact with the inner sidewall 50 n of the uppermostmetal pattern 80U.

Similarly, the metal pattern 80 nU and the barrier conductive pattern 85nU in the second string selection electrode SSE2 k may be referred to asa next uppermost metal pattern and a next uppermost barrier conductivepattern, respectively. The next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU may alsoinclude a first outer sidewall 60 a and a second outer sidewall 60 bthat face each other. The first and second outer sidewalls 60 a and 60 bof the next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU may be adjacent to the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a and the isolation pattern 575, respectively.The next uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU may be in contactwith the first outer sidewall 60 a of the next uppermost metal pattern80 nU. A portion of the next uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nUcontacting the first outer sidewall 60 a of the next uppermost metalpattern 80 nU may include a first sidewall 56 adjacent to the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a and a second sidewall contacting the firstouter sidewall 60 a of the next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU. The firstsidewall 56 of the next uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU maybe vertically aligned with the first outer sidewall 25 a of the nextuppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa. The first sidewall 56 of the nextuppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU may be vertically andsubstantially coplanar with the first outer sidewall 25 a of the nextuppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa. The second outer sidewall 60 b ofthe next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU may not be covered with the nextuppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU. The second outer sidewall 60b of the next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU may be in contact with theisolation pattern 575. The next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU mayinclude an inner sidewall 60 n having a hole shape that surrounds thesidewall of the vertical active pattern 520. The next uppermost barrierconductive pattern 85 nU may be in contact with the inner sidewall 60 nof the next uppermost metal pattern 80 nU.

Unlike the string selection electrodes SSE1 k and SSE2 k, both outersidewalls of the metal pattern 80 in each of the cell electrodes CEk andthe ground selection electrodes GSE1 k and GSE2 k may not be coveredwith the barrier conductive pattern 85 of each of the cell electrodesCEk and the ground selection electrodes GSE1 k and GSE2 k, asillustrated in FIG. 41A. For example, both outer sidewalls of the metalpattern 80 in each of the cell electrodes CEk and the ground selectionelectrodes GSE1 k and GSE2 k may be in contact with the isolationpatterns 575 disposed at both sides of the electrode structure,respectively.

Each of the metal patterns 80, 80 nU and 80U may include a tungstenlayer, a copper layer or an aluminum layer. Each of the barrierconductive patterns 85, 85 nU and 85U may include a conductive metalnitride layer (e.g., a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum nitride layer,a tungsten nitride layer or the like) and/or a transition metal layer(e.g., a titanium layer, a tantalum layer or the like).

FIG. 42 is a cross sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 39A toillustrate still another modified embodiment of a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of theinventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 42, the cutting region 540 may be filled with a nonsacrificial pattern 550 a′. The non sacrificial pattern 550 a′ mayextend onto the top surface of the capping dielectric pattern 535 a. Inthis case, the non sacrificial pattern 550 a′ may include both sidewallsvertically aligned with both sidewalls of the capping dielectric pattern535 a. Contact plugs 580′ may penetrate the capping dielectric pattern535 a and the non sacrificial pattern 550 a′ to be connected to thelanding pads 530. Top surfaces of the isolation patterns 575 may besubstantially coplanar with the top surface of the non sacrificialpattern 550 a′.

FIG. 43A is a plan view illustrating yet another modified embodiment ofa three dimensional semiconductor memory device according to a fourthembodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 43B is a cross sectional viewtaken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 43A.

Referring to FIGS. 43A, an edge of a top surface of the non sacrificialpattern 550 b disposed in each of the cutting regions 540 a may bealigned with an edge of a top surface of the first string selectionelectrode SSE1 along the first direction. In this case, as illustratedin FIG. 43B, the top surface of the non sacrificial pattern 550 b may besubstantially coplanar with the top surfaces of the uppermost insulatingpatterns 505Ua. In each electrode structure, a capping dielectricpattern 535 a′ may be disposed on the uppermost insulating patterns505Ua and the non sacrificial pattern 550 b. That is, the cuttingregions 540 a may be disposed under the capping dielectric patterns 535a′.

FIG. 44 is a cross sectional view illustrating still yet anothermodified embodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 44, a cutting region 540′ may extend downwardlyfurther than in previous embodiments. Further, as opposed to previousembodiment, the cutting region illustrated in FIG. 44 is notsymmetrically disposed between adjacent vertical active patterns 520 inorder to compensate for a difference in lateral widths of the firststring selection electrode SSE1 between the different vertical activepatterns and adjacent isolation patterns, i.e., such that the lateralwidths of the first string selection electrode SSE1 adjacent thevertical active patterns are equal.

The cutting region 540′ may be filled with the non sacrificial pattern550 a. Each of the electrode structure may include a plurality ofuppermost cell electrodes CEs due to of the presence of the cuttingregion 540′ and the non sacrificial pattern 550 a. The plurality ofuppermost cell electrodes CEs may be disposed at a same level from a topsurface of the substrate 100. The cutting region 540′ and the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a may be disposed between the plurality ofuppermost cell electrodes CEs. That is, the plurality of uppermost cellelectrodes CEs may be separated by the cutting region 540′ and the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a.

According to the above modified embodiment, each of the uppermost cellelectrodes CEs may include a first outer sidewall 41 a adjacent to thenon sacrificial pattern 550 a and a second outer sidewall 41 b adjacentto the isolation pattern 575. In this case, the electrode-dielectriclayer 570 between the sidewall of the vertical active pattern 520 andthe uppermost cell electrode CEs may extend to cover the first outersidewall 41 a of the uppermost cell electrode CEs. The second outersidewall 41 b of the uppermost cell electrode CEs may not be coveredwith the extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 570. For example,the second outer sidewall 41 b of the uppermost cell electrode CEs maybe in contact with the isolation pattern 575. The present modifiedembodiment discloses the uppermost cell electrodes CEs separated fromeach other by the cutting region 540′. However, the inventive concept isnot limited to the present modified embodiment. For example, the cuttingregion 540′ may extend further downwardly to reach a lower region thanthe uppermost cell electrode CEs. As such, at least one of the pluralityof cell electrodes CE disposed under the uppermost cell electrode CEsmay be divided into a plurality of segments. In addition, the cuttingregion 540′ may further extend to separate each of the cell electrodesCE and the ground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2 disposed under theuppermost cell electrodes CEs into a plurality of segments.

FIG. 45A illustrates a cross sectional view of a further modifiedembodiment of a three dimensional semiconductor memory device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 45B is an enlargedview illustrating a portion ‘K5’ of FIG. 45A.

Referring to FIGS. 45A and 45B, each of uppermost empty regions 560U′may extend horizontally, e.g., along an x-axis direction, into the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a filling the cutting region 540. Thus, thewidth of each of the first string selection electrodes SSE1 formed inthe uppermost empty regions 560U′ may be increased. That is, ahorizontal distance between the first and second outer sidewalls 10 a′and 10 b of each of the first string selection electrodes SSE1 may beincreased. As a result, a first sidewall 31′ of a first wall portion ofa first extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 covering thefirst outer sidewall 10 a′ of the first string selection electrodes SSE1may be offset from the first outer sidewall 15 a of the uppermostinsulating pattern 505Ua stacked on the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1. For example, the first sidewall 31′ of the first wallportion may horizontally protrude more than the first outer sidewall 15a of the uppermost insulating pattern 505Ua. As described with referenceto FIGS. 39A and 39B, the first extension may correspond to an extendedportion of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 between the sidewall ofthe vertical active pattern 520 and the first string selectionelectrodes SSE1.

Similarly, each of next uppermost empty regions 560 nU′ may extendhorizontally into the non sacrificial pattern 550 a filling the cuttingregion 540. Thus, the width of each of the second string selectionelectrodes SSE2 formed in the next uppermost empty regions 560 nU′ maybe increased. As a result, a first sidewall 32′ of a second wall portionof a second extension of the electrode-dielectric layer 570 covering thefirst outer sidewall 20 a′ of the second string selection electrodesSSE2 may horizontally protrude more than the first outer sidewall 25 aof the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa. The second extensionmay correspond to an extended portion of the electrode-dielectric layer570 between the sidewall of the vertical active pattern 520 and thesecond string selection electrodes SSE1.

According to the above modified embodiment, the non sacrificial pattern550 a may include a dielectric material having an etch selectivity withrespect to the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua. In anembodiment, an etch rate of the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may befaster than that of the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua in acertain etchant such as an oxide etchant. For example, the insulatingpatterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua may include a relatively dense oxidematerial such as a high density plasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a hightemperature oxide (HTO) layer, and the non sacrificial pattern 550 a mayinclude a relatively porous oxide material such as a low temperatureoxide (LTO) layer and/or a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PE-CVD) oxide layer. The LTO layer may correspond to an oxide layerwhich is formed at a process temperature within the range of about roomtemperature to about 600° C.

The uppermost empty region 560U′ and the next uppermost empty region 560nU′ may be applied to the three dimensional semiconductor memory devicedisclosed in FIGS. 41A and 41B. In this case, the widths of the firstand second string selection electrodes SSE1 k and SSE2 k of FIGS. 41Aand 41B may be increased. For example, in FIGS. 41A and 41B, the firstsidewalls 55 and 56 of the uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85U andthe next uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU may be offset fromthe first outer sidewalls 15 a and 25 a of the uppermost insulatingpattern 505Ua and the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa. Thefirst sidewalls 55 and 56 of the uppermost barrier conductive pattern85U and the next uppermost barrier conductive pattern 85 nU maylaterally protrude toward the non sacrificial pattern 550 a more thanthe first outer sidewalls 15 a and 25 a of the uppermost insulatingpattern 505Ua and the next uppermost insulating pattern 505 nUa.

Hereinafter, methods of fabricating three dimensional semiconductormemory devices according to embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 46A to 50A illustrate plan views of stages in a method offabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory device according toa fourth embodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 46B to 50B are crosssectional views taken along lines I-I′ of FIGS. 46A to 50A,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 46A and 46B, a buffer dielectric layer 503 may beformed on the substrate 100 doped with dopants of a first conductivitytype. A well region doped with dopants of the first conductivity typemay be formed in the substrate 100. The sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU,510U and insulating layers 505, 505 nU, 505U may be alternately andrepeatedly stacked on the buffer dielectric layer 503. The uppermostinsulating layer 505U may be disposed on the uppermost sacrificial layer510U. The next uppermost insulating layer 505 nU may be disposed betweenthe uppermost sacrificial layer 510U and the next uppermost sacrificiallayer 510 nU. The sacrificial layer 510, 510 nU, 510U may be formed of amaterial having an etch selectivity with respect to the insulatinglayers 505, 505 nU, 505U. For example, each of the insulating layers505, 505 nU, 505U may be formed of an oxide layer such as a high densityplasma (HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer,and each of the sacrificial layer 510, 510 nU, 510U may be formed of anitride layer.

The insulating layers 505, 505 nU, 505U and the sacrificial layer 510,510 nU, 510U may be patterned to form sacrificial pads 510P of thesacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U. For example, a mask pattern may beformed to define the sacrificial pad 110P of the lowermost sacrificiallayer among the sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U. The insulatinglayers 505, 505 nU, 505U and the sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510Umay then be etched using the mask pattern as an etch mask. As such, thesacrificial pad 510P of the lowermost sacrificial layer may be formed.The mask pattern may be then recessed or shrunken to reduce a width ofthe mask pattern. The insulating layers 505, 505 nU, 505U and thesacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U on the lowermost sacrificial layermay be etched using the recessed mask pattern as an etch mask. As such,the sacrificial pad 510P of the sacrificial layer 510 secondly stackedon the substrate 100 may be formed, and the sacrificial pad 510P of thelowermost sacrificial layer may be exposed. The recess process of themask pattern and the etch process of the insulating layers 505, 505 nU,505U and the sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U may be repeatedlyperformed to form the sacrificial pads 510P exhibiting a stepped shape.

Holes 515 penetrating the insulating layers 505, 505 nU, 505U, thesacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U and the buffer dielectric layer 503may be formed. A vertical active pattern 520, a filling dielectricpattern 525, and a landing pad 530 may be formed in each of the holes515. A capping dielectric layer 535 may be formed on an entire surfaceof the substrate having the vertical active patterns 520, the fillingdielectric patterns 525 and the landing pads 530. The capping dielectriclayer 535 may be formed to include a dielectric material having an etchselectivity with respect to the sacrificial layers 510, 501 nU, 510U.For example, the capping dielectric layer 535 may be formed of an oxidelayer.

Referring to FIGS. 47A and 47B, the capping dielectric layer 535, atleast the uppermost insulating layer 505U and at least the uppermostsacrificial layer 510U may be successively patterned to form cuttingregions 540. In an embodiment, the cutting regions 540 may be formed bysuccessively patterning the capping dielectric layer 535, the uppermostinsulating layer 505U, the uppermost sacrificial layer 510U, the nextuppermost insulating layer 505 nU, and the next uppermost sacrificiallayer 510 nU. As disclosed in FIG. 47A, the cutting regions 540 mayseparate each of the sacrificial pads 510P of the uppermost sacrificiallayer 510U and the next uppermost sacrificial layer 510 nU into aplurality of segments. In a plan view, end portions of the cuttingregions 540 may overlap with any one of the sacrificial pads 510P of thesacrificial layers which are replaced with cell electrodes or stringselection electrodes in a subsequent process.

A non sacrificial layer 550 contacting inner surfaces of the cuttingregions 540 may be formed on the substrate having the cutting regions540. The non sacrificial layer 550 may fill the cutting regions 540. Thenon sacrificial layer 550 may be in contact with entire surfaces of bothinner sidewalls of the respective cutting regions 540. At least aportion of the non sacrificial layer 550 contacting both inner sidewallsof the respective cutting regions 540 may include an insulating materialhaving an etch selectivity with respect to the sacrificial layers 510,510 nU, 510U. In an embodiment, at least the portion of the nonsacrificial layer 550 contacting both inner sidewalls of the respectivecutting regions 540 may include an insulating material having an etchrate which is less than 0.1 times that of the sacrificial layers 510,510 nU, 510U. For example, when the sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510Uare formed of a nitride layer, the non sacrificial layer 550 may beformed of an oxide layer and/or an undoped semiconductor layer (e.g., anundoped silicon layer).

Referring to FIGS. 48A and 48B, the non sacrificial layer 550 may beplanarized to expose the capping dielectric layer 535 and to form nonsacrificial patterns 550 a in the cutting regions 540 respectively. Assuch, top surfaces of the non sacrificial patterns 550 a may besubstantially coplanar with a top surface of the capping dielectriclayer 535.

The capping dielectric layer 535, the insulating layers 505, 505 nU,505U, and the sacrificial layers 510, 510 nU, 510U may be successivelypatterned to form trenches 555. The trenches 555 may extend in parallelin a first direction. The trenches 555 may define a plurality of moldpatterns separated from each other. Each of the mold patterns may beformed between the pair of adjacent mold patterns. Further, each of thecutting regions 540 may be disposed between the pair of adjacenttrenches 555. The mold patterns may be completely separated from eachother by the trenches 555. Each of the mold patterns may includesacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua and insulating patterns 505a, 505 nUa, 505Ua which are alternately and repeatedly stacked.Moreover, each of the mold patterns may further include the cuttingregion 540 and the non sacrificial pattern 550 a. As such, each of themold patterns may include a plurality of uppermost insulating patterns505Ua separated from each other by the cutting region 540. In addition,each of the mold patterns may include a plurality of uppermostsacrificial patterns 510Ua separated from each other by the cuttingregion 540. Similarly, each of the mold patterns may include a pluralityof next uppermost insulating patterns 505 nUa and a plurality of nextuppermost sacrificial patterns 510 nUa. In each mold pattern, a singlesacrificial pattern 510 a may be disposed in each level under thecutting region 540.

As mentioned above, the mold patterns may be completely separated fromeach other by the trenches 555. Thus, the sacrificial pads 510P of thesacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua in each mold pattern may beseparated from the sacrificial pads 510P of the sacrificial patterns 510a, 510 nUa, 510Ua in the adjacent mold pattern. Each of the moldpatterns may further include a capping dielectric pattern 535 a. Thecapping dielectric pattern 535 a may cover the uppermost insulatingpatterns 505Ua and the sacrificial pads 510P in each of the moldpatterns.

While the trenches 555 are formed, the buffer dielectric layer 503 mayalso be etched to form a buffer dielectric pattern 503 a in each moldpattern. Alternatively, at least a portion of the buffer dielectriclayer 503 may remain under the respective trenches 555.

Referring to FIGS. 49A and 49B, the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa,510Ua exposed by the trenches 555 may be removed to form empty regions560, 560 nU, 560U. In each mold pattern, the pair of uppermost emptyregions 560U may be formed at both sides of the non sacrificial pattern550 a respectively, and the pair of next uppermost empty regions 560 nUmay be formed at both sides of the non sacrificial pattern 550 arespectively. One side of the uppermost empty region 560U may be closedby the non sacrificial pattern 550 a, and the other side of theuppermost empty region 560U may be opened by the trench 555. Similarly,one side of the next uppermost empty region 560 nU may be closed by thenon sacrificial pattern 550 a, and the other side of the next uppermostempty region 560 nU may be opened by the trench 555. Each of the emptyregions 560 under the cutting region 540 may include both sides openedby the trenches 555.

Referring to FIGS. 50A and 50B, an electrode-dielectric layer 570 may beconformably formed on the substrate including the empty regions 560, 560nU, 560U. The electrode-dielectric layer 570 may be formed to asubstantially uniform thickness on inner surfaces of the empty regions560, 560 nU, 560U.

Subsequently, a conductive layer filling the empty regions 560, 560 nU,560U may be formed on the substrate including the electrode-dielectriclayer 570. The conductive layer formed outside the empty regions 560,560 nU, 560U may be removed to form electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2,SSE1 in the empty regions 560, 560 nU, 560U respectively. As such, theelectrode structures described with reference to FIGS. 39A to 39E may beformed. After formation of the electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1,the electrode-dielectric layer 570 outside the empty regions 560, 560nU, 560U may be removed.

Dopant ions of a second conductivity type may be implanted into thesubstrate 100 under the trenches 555, thereby forming common sourceregions CS. The common source regions CS may be formed after forming theelectrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE, SSE2, SSE1. Alternatively, the common sourceregions CS may be formed prior to formation of the empty regions 560,560 nU, 560U.

Subsequently, isolation patterns (575 of FIGS. 39A to 39E) may be formedto fill the trenches 555, respectively. Contact plugs (580 of FIGS. 39Ato 39E) and interconnections (590 of FIGS. 39A to 39E) may be thenformed. As such, the three dimensional semiconductor memory devicedisclosed in FIGS. 39A to 39E may be realized.

According to the fabrication methods described above, after formation ofthe cutting regions 540 and the non sacrificial layer 550, the trenches555, the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua and the emptyregions 560, 560 nU, 560U may be formed. That is, the uppermost emptyregions 560U separated by the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may beformed, and the next uppermost empty regions 560 nU separated by the nonsacrificial pattern 550 a may also be formed. As such, in each electrodestructure, the first string selection electrodes SSE1 separated fromeach other and the second string selection electrodes SSE2 separatedfrom each other may be simultaneously formed together with the cellelectrodes CE and the ground selection electrodes GSE1 and GSE2.

As a result, the first outer sidewalls (adjacent to the non sacrificialpattern 550 a) of the string selection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 may beprotected from an etching process. That is, physical loss of the stringselection electrodes SSE1 and SSE2 by an etching process may beminimized to prevent the electrical resistance of the string selectionelectrodes SSE1 and SSE2 from increasing. As such, a high reliable andhighly integrated three dimensional semiconductor memory device may berealized.

FIG. 51 is a cross sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment ofa method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.

Prior to formation of the vertical active patterns 520 disclosed inFIGS. 46A and 46B, a first portion 565 a of an electrode-dielectriclayer may be formed on inner sidewalls of the holes 515. Subsequently,the same processes as described with reference to FIGS. 47A to 49A andFIGS. 47B to 49B may be performed. As such, empty regions 560, 560 nU,560U may be formed, as illustrated in FIG. 51. The empty regions 560,560 nU, 560U of FIG. 51 may expose the first portion 565 a of theelectrode-dielectric layer formed on the sidewalls of the verticalactive patterns 520. A second portion (565 b of FIGS. 40A and 40B) ofthe electrode-dielectric layer may be then formed on inner surfaces ofthe empty regions 560, 560 nU, 560U, and electrodes GSE1, GSE2, CE,SSE2, SSE1 filling the empty regions 560, 560 nU, 560U may be thenformed. As such, the electrode structures disclosed in FIGS. 40A and 40Bmay be formed.

Prior to formation of the vertical active patterns 520 disclosed inFIGS. 46A and 46B, the electrode-dielectric layer 570′ of FIGS. 41A and41B may be formed on the inner sidewalls of the holes 515. Subsequently,the same processes as described with reference to FIGS. 47A to 49A andFIGS. 47B to 49B may be performed. In this case, the empty regions 560,560 nU, 560U may expose the electrode-dielectric layer 570′ formed onthe sidewalls of the vertical active patterns 520. After a barrierconductive layer is conformably formed in the empty regions 560, 560 nU,560U, a metal layer filling the empty regions 560, 560 nU, 560U may beformed. The barrier conductive layer and the metal layer outside theempty regions 560, 560 nU, 560U may be removed to form the electrodesGSE1 k, GSE2 k, CEk, SSE2 k, SSE1 k. As such, the electrode structuresdescribed with reference to FIGS. 41A and 41B may be formed.

In the fabrication methods described with reference to FIGS. 47A, 47B,48A, and 48B, the non sacrificial layer 550 may not be planarized.Subsequently, the same processes as described with reference to FIGS.49A, 49B, 50A, and 50B may be performed. As a result, the threedimensional semiconductor memory device disclosed in FIG. 42 may berealized.

According to the fabrication methods described with reference to FIGS.46A to 50A and FIGS. 46B to 50B, the cutting regions 540 and the nonsacrificial layer 550 may be formed after formation of the sacrificialpads 510P. Alternatively, the sacrificial pads 510P may be formed afterformation of the cutting regions 540 and the non sacrificial layer 550.This method will be described with reference to the drawings,hereinafter.

FIGS. 52A and 53A are plan views illustrating another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.FIGS. 52B and 53B are cross sectional views taken along lines I-I′ ofFIGS. 52A to 53A, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 52A and 52B, prior to formation of the sacrificialpads, the uppermost insulating layer 505U, the uppermost sacrificiallayer 510U, the next uppermost insulating layer 505 nU and the nextuppermost sacrificial layer 510 nU may successively patterned to formthe cutting regions 540. The non sacrificial layer contacting innersurfaces of the cutting regions 540 may be then formed on the substrateincluding the cutting regions 540, and the non sacrificial layer may beplanarized to form the non sacrificial patterns 550 a in the cuttingregions 540.

Referring to FIGS. 53A and 53B, after formation of the non sacrificialpatterns 550 a, the insulating layers 505U, 505 nU, 505 and thesacrificial layers 510U, 510 nU, 510 may be patterned to form thesacrificial pads 510P. While the insulating layers 505U, 505 nU, 505 andthe sacrificial layers 510U, 510 nU, 510 are patterned to form thesacrificial pads 510P, end portions of the non sacrificial patterns 550a may also be etched when viewed from a plan view. As such, each of theend portions of the etched non sacrificial patterns 550 b may have astepped structure, as illustrated in FIG. 53B. As illustrated in FIG.53A, ends of the uppermost surfaces of the etched non sacrificialpatterns 550 b may be aligned with ends of the uppermost sacrificiallayers 510U having the sacrificial pads 510P in the second direction.The following processes may be performed using the same manners asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 48A to 50A and FIGS. 48B to 50B. Assuch, the three dimensional semiconductor memory device illustrated inFIGS. 43A and 43B may be realized.

When the cutting regions 540 disclosed in FIGS. 47A and 47B are formed,at least one sacrificial layer 510 located under the bottom surfaces ofthe cutting regions 540 may be further etched. As such, each of thecutting regions may penetrate the uppermost sacrificial layer 510U, thenext uppermost sacrificial layer 510 nU and at least one sacrificiallayer 510 disposed under the next uppermost sacrificial layer 510 nU.Subsequently, the non sacrificial layer 550 may be formed, and themethods described with reference to FIGS. 48A to 50A and FIGS. 48B to50B may be performed. As a result, the three dimensional semiconductormemory device including the cutting regions 540′ illustrated in FIG. 44may be realized.

FIG. 54 is a cross sectional view illustrating still another modifiedembodiment of a method of fabricating a three dimensional semiconductormemory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.

While the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua disclosed in FIGS.48A and 48B are removed, the non sacrificial pattern 550 a contactingthe uppermost sacrificial patterns 510Ua and the next uppermostsacrificial patterns 510 nUa may be partially recessed. As a result,uppermost empty regions 560U′, next uppermost empty regions 560 nU′ andempty regions 560 may be formed, as illustrated in FIG. 54. In thiscase, the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may include a dielectric layerhaving an etch selectivity with respect to the sacrificial patterns 510a, 510 nUa, 510Ua. Further, the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may alsoinclude a dielectric layer having an etch selectivity with respect tothe insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa, 505Ua.

In an embodiment, during removal of the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510nUa, 510Ua, the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua may exhibit ahighest (e.g., fastest) etch rate and the insulating patterns 505 a, 505nUa, 505Ua may exhibit a lowest (e.g., slowest) etch rate. In this case,the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may have an etch rate which is lessthan an etch rate of the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua andis greater than an etch rate of the insulating patterns 505 a, 505 nUa,505Ua. For example, the sacrificial patterns 510 a, 510 nUa, 510Ua maybe formed of a nitride layer, and the insulating patterns 505 a, 505nUa, 505Ua may be formed of an oxide layer such as a high density plasma(HDP) oxide layer and/or a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer. Further,the non sacrificial pattern 550 a may be formed of a low temperatureoxide (LTO) layer and/or a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PE-CVD) oxide layer. The LTO layer may correspond to an oxide layerwhich is formed at a process temperature within the range of about roomtemperature to about 600° C.

Subsequently, the same processes as described with reference to FIGS.50A and 50B may be performed. As a result, the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device illustrated in FIGS. 45A and 45B may berealized.

Elements (or components) of the three dimensional semiconductor memorydevices according to the first, second, third and fourth embodimentsdescribed above may be combined with each other in various forms under anon-contradictable condition.

The three dimensional semiconductor memory devices described above maybe encapsulated using various packaging techniques. For example, thethree dimensional semiconductor memory devices according to theaforementioned embodiments may be encapsulated using any one of apackage on package (POP) technique, a ball grid arrays (BGAs) technique,a chip scale packages (CSPs) technique, a plastic leaded chip carrier(PLCC) technique, a plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) technique, a diein waffle pack technique, a die in wafer form technique, a chip on board(COB) technique, a ceramic dual in-line package (CERDIP) technique, aplastic quad flat package (PQFP) technique, a thin quad flat package(TQFP) technique, a small outline package (SOIC) technique, a shrinksmall outline package (SSOP) technique, a thin small outline package(TSOP) technique, a thin quad flat package (TQFP) technique, a system inpackage (SIP) technique, a multi chip package (MCP) technique, awafer-level fabricated package (WFP) technique, and a wafer-levelprocessed stack package (WSP) technique.

The package in which the three dimensional semiconductor memory deviceaccording to one of the above embodiments is mounted may further includeat least one semiconductor device (e.g., a controller and/or a logicdevice) that controls the three dimensional semiconductor memory device.

FIG. 55 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example ofelectronic systems including three dimensional semiconductor memorydevices according to embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 55, an electronic system 1100 according to anembodiment may include a controller 1110, an input/output (I/O) unit1120, a memory device 1130, an interface unit 1140, and a data bus 1150.At least two of the controller 1110, the I/O unit 1120, the memorydevice 1130, and the interface unit 1140 may communicate with each otherthrough the data bus 1150. The data bus 1150 may correspond to a paththrough which electrical signals are transmitted.

The controller 1110 may include at least one of a microprocessor, adigital signal processor, a microcontroller, or another logic device.The other logic device may have a similar function to any one of themicroprocessor, the digital signal processor, and the microcontroller.The I/O unit 1120 may include a keypad, a keyboard, or a display unit.The memory device 1130 may store data and/or commands. The memory device1130 may include at least one of the three dimensional semiconductormemory devices according to the embodiments described above. The memorydevice 1130 may further include another type of semiconductor memorydevices different from the three dimensional semiconductor memorydevices described above. For example, the memory device 1130 may furtherinclude a magnetic memory device, a phase change memory device, adynamic random access memory (DRAM) device and/or a static random accessmemory (SRAM) device. The interface unit 1140 may transmit electricaldata to a communication network or may receive electrical data from acommunication network. The interface unit 1140 may operate by wirelessor cable. For example, the interface unit 1140 may include an antennafor wireless communication or a transceiver for cable communication.Although not shown in the drawings, the electronic system 1100 mayfurther include a fast DRAM device and/or a fast SRAM device which actsas a cache memory for improving an operation of the controller 1110.

The electronic system 1100 may be applied to a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wireless phone, amobile phone, a digital music player, a memory card or anotherelectronic product. The other electronic product may receive or transmitinformation data by wireless.

FIG. 56 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example of memorycards including the three dimensional semiconductor memory devicesaccording to the embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 56, a memory card 1200 according to an embodiment ofthe inventive concept may include a memory device 1210. The memorydevice 1210 may include at least one of the three dimensionalsemiconductor memory devices according to the various embodimentsmentioned above. In other embodiments, the memory device 1210 mayfurther include another type of semiconductor memory devices differentfrom the three dimensional semiconductor memory devices according to theembodiments described above. For example, the memory device 1210 mayfurther include a magnetic memory device, a phase change memory device,a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device and/or a static randomaccess memory (SRAM) device. The memory card 1200 may include a memorycontroller 1220 that controls data communication between a host and thememory device 1210.

The memory controller 1220 may include a central processing unit (CPU)1222 that controls overall operations of the memory card 1200. Inaddition, the memory controller 1220 may include an SRAM device 1221used as an operation memory of the CPU 1222. Moreover, the memorycontroller 1220 may further include a host interface unit 1223 and amemory interface unit 1225. The host interface unit 1223 may beconfigured to include a data communication protocol between the memorycard 1200 and the host. The memory interface unit 1225 may connect thememory controller 1220 to the memory device 1210. The memory controller1220 may further include an error check and correction (ECC) block 1224.The ECC block 1224 may detect and correct errors of data read out fromthe memory device 1210. Even though not shown in the drawings, thememory card 1200 may further include a read only memory (ROM) devicethat stores code data to interface with the host. The memory card 1200may be used as a portable data storage card. Alternatively, the memorycard 1200 may replace hard disks of computer systems as solid statedisks of the computer systems.

According to the embodiments set forth above, a first outer sidewall ofan uppermost electrode may be covered with an extension of anelectrode-dielectric layer. As such, the first outer sidewall of theuppermost electrode may be protected from an etching process. As aresult, physical loss of the uppermost electrode during the etchingprocess may be minimized to prevent electrical resistance of theuppermost electrode from increasing. Thus, high reliable and highlyintegrated three dimensional semiconductor memory devices may berealized.

While the inventive concept has been described with reference to exampleembodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should beunderstood that the above embodiments are not limiting, butillustrative. Thus, the scope of the inventive concept is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing description.

1.-38. (canceled)
 39. A method of fabricating a three dimensionalsemiconductor memory device, the method comprising: alternately andrepeatedly stacking replacement layers and insulating layers on asubstrate; forming a vertical active pattern penetrating the insulatinglayers and the replacement layers; forming a cutting region penetratingat least an uppermost replacement layer of the replacement layers;forming a non sacrificial layer in the cutting region; and replacing thereplacement layers with electrodes, respectively, after forming the nonsacrificial layer in the cutting region.
 40. The method as claimed inclaim 39, wherein forming the cutting region is after forming thevertical active pattern.
 41. The method as claimed in claim 39, furthercomprising, before forming the electrodes, forming anelectrode-dielectric layer between a sidewall of the vertical activepattern and the electrodes.
 42. The method as claimed in claim 41,wherein forming the electrode-dielectric layer includes conformallyforming the electrode dielectric layer in the replacement layers and asidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed byan uppermost replacement layer.
 43. The method as claimed in claim 39,further comprising, before forming the non sacrificial layer in thecutting region, forming a spacer on sidewalls of the cutting region. 44.The method as claimed in claim 43, further comprising, before formingthe electrodes, removing a portion of the spacer extending from abovethe uppermost replacement layer to a bottom of the cutting region. 45.The method as claimed in claim 44, further comprising conformallyforming an electrode-dielectric layer in the replacement layers andalong a sidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting regionexposed due to removal of the spacer.
 46. The method as claimed in claim44, wherein forming the electrodes includes conformally forming abarrier conductive pattern in the replacement layers and along asidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed dueto removal of the spacer.
 47. The method as claimed in claim 43, furthercomprising, before forming the non sacrificial layer in the cuttingregion, etching the spacer so that an upper surface of the space isbelow an upper surface of the cutting region, the spacer remaining abovethe uppermost replacement layer.
 48. The method as claimed in claim 47,further comprising, after forming the non sacrificial layer in thecutting region and before forming the electrodes, removing the spacer.49. The method as claimed in claim 48, further comprising conformallyforming an electrode-dielectric layer in the replacement layers andalong a sidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting regionexposed due to removal of the spacer.
 50. The method as claimed in claim48, wherein forming the electrodes includes conformally forming abarrier conductive pattern in the replacement layers and along asidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed dueto removal of the spacer.
 51. The method as claimed in claim 39, whereinthe cutting region penetrates below an uppermost replacement layer. 52.The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the cutting region penetratesa next uppermost replacement layer.
 53. The method as claimed in claim39, wherein forming the cutting region includes: forming a guide openingin an uppermost insulating layer, the guide opening extending to anupper surface of the uppermost replacement layer; forming a spacer inthe guide opening; and etching the guide opening with the spacer thereinto form the cutting region and to remove the spacer such that an uppersurface of the spacer is below an upper surface of the uppermostinsulating layer.
 54. The method as claimed in claim 53, furthercomprising, after forming the non sacrificial layer in the cuttingregion and before forming the electrodes, removing the spacer.
 55. Themethod as claimed in claim 54, further comprising conformally forming anelectrode-dielectric layer in the replacement layers and along asidewall of the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed dueto removal of the spacer.
 56. The method as claimed in claim 54, whereinforming the electrodes includes conformally forming a barrier conductivepattern in the replacement layers and along a sidewall of the nonsacrificial layer in the cutting region exposed due to removal of thespacer.
 57. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein forming thealternately stacking replacement layers and insulating layers includes:alternately and repeatedly stacking sacrificial layers and insulatinglayers on the substrate; and before forming electrodes, removing thesacrificial layers to form empty regions.
 58. The method as claimed inclaim 57, wherein removing the sacrificial layers includes removing aportion of the non sacrificial layer adjacent an uppermost sacrificiallayer.
 59. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein forming thevertical active pattern includes: forming a hole penetrating theinsulating layers and the replacement layers; and forming the verticalactive pattern in the hole.
 60. The method as claimed in claim 59,further comprising, before forming the vertical active pattern, formingan electrode-dielectric layer on an inner sidewall of the hole.
 61. Themethod as claimed in claim 60, wherein forming the electrodes includesconformally forming a barrier conductive pattern in the replacementlayers.
 62. The method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising:forming another vertical active pattern penetrating the insulatinglayers and the replacement layers, the another vertical active patternbeing in an opposite side of the cutting region to the vertical activepattern.
 63. The method as claimed in claim 62, wherein the cuttingregion is centered between the vertical active pattern and the anothervertical active pattern.
 64. The method as claimed in claim 62, whereinthe cutting region is closer to one of the vertical active pattern andthe another vertical active pattern than to another of the verticalactive pattern and the another vertical active pattern.
 65. The methodas claimed in claim 39, wherein the cutting region extends in parallelto the vertical active pattern.